Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator

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This is a fun and useful circuit for demonstrating high frequency high voltge. It can produce up to about 30KV, depending on the transformer used. It is cheap and easy to make, thanks to the standard TV flyback transformer used. It can power LASERS (although I have never tried), demonstrate St.Elmo's fire, and even cause a fluorescent bulb to light from as much as 2 feet away.

DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE

Schematic

This is the schematic of the solid state tesla coil/high voltage generator

Parts
Part
Total Qty.
Description
Substitutions
R1127 Ohm 5W Resistor27 Ohm 10W Resistor
R21240 Ohm 5W Resistor240 Ohm 10W Resistor
BR1150 Volt, 6 Amp Bridge Rectifier
C118000uf, 35 Volt Capacitor
Q1, Q222N3055 NPN Power Transistor
T1124V 5A Transformer (See "Notes")
T21TV Flyback Transformer (See "Notes")
S11115V 3A SPST Switch
MISC1Case, Wire, Heatsinks, Line Cord

Notes

  1. T2 is a high voltage flyback transformer salvaged from an old TV, or ordered from Fair Radio Sales (see Where To Get Parts). Look for the biggest, most intimidating transformer you can find. Old tube TV's are a good place to look. The transformer should not have a rectifier built in.

  2. You will need to rewind the transformer's primary. First, remove the old primary, being careful not to damage the high voltage secondary. If the transformer is wound with all windings incased in plastic, use another transformer. Second, wind on 5 turns of 18 AWG wire, twist a loop (center tap), and then wind on 5 more turns. This becomes winding C-D. Now, wind on 2 turns of 22 AWG wire, twist a loop, and wind on 2 more turns. This becomes winding A-B.

  3. Q1 and Q2 will run HOT if not used with a large heatsink. After the circuit has been running for a minute or two, you should still be able to put your finger on the transistors without being burnt. Also, R1 and R2 will run hot.

  4. If you experience arcing on the exposed transformer leads, select a lower voltage for T1. If you are powering the circuit with a power supply (see Power Supply), just crank down the voltage.

  5. For a real high voltage output, connect a voltage multiplier (from an old TV or computer monitor) to the output of T2.

  6. If the circuit does not work, reverse connections A and B.

  7. I finally got around to taking some pictures of the circuit in operation. Here they are:

    Arc from generator without voltage multiplierArc from generator with voltage multiplier

    The first picture is the high voltage generator without the voltage multiplier. Notice how hot the arc looks. The second picture is the high voltage generator with a voltage multiplier installed. Notice how much brighter the arc is.

    Me charged with high voltage holding a glowing light bulbMe charged with high voltage holding a glowing light bulbMe charged with high voltage holding a glowing light bulb

    The above pictures of myself were taken with me standing on an pie plate that was resting on the top of a plastic bucket. The pie plate was connected to the high voltage generator and charged to about 40,000V. If you do this, be sure to have someone else turn on and off the high voltage generator. Also, don't touch anything when you are charged. Have everything you are going to hold/play with already sitting on the bucket and away from grounded objects. Remember to take off your watch...

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Comments
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Mhavskie
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Sunday, September 13, 2009 6:01:45 AM
ZVS inverter or mazzilli inverter is the best flyback driver using IRFP250
zainka
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:15:43 AM
ahem... you say "remember to take your watch off.." but I can clearly see that YOUR watch is still on!!! Any experience you wanna share :) ?
anonymous
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Sunday, April 19, 2009 6:18:48 PM
what is the function of the resistors? i have nte 291 transistors rated for 40w 4 amp
mukhtar mukhtar
150 v DC to 100 kv
Friday, March 06, 2009 3:56:23 PM
I need electronic circuit for the continued effort of the current up to 100 kV
Kerriggor
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:06:23 PM
Hey ive been trying to build one from scratch but it keeps melting i would realy like it if i could get some plans oh and i have remade Nikola Tesla's teleport machine bad thing melts everything i send
anonymous
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:12:27 PM
that is crazy, Charging yourself like that. You have a light saber, until you accidentally ground yourself... Awesome project, but a bit too high volt for me.
China
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:17:47 AM
is it dangerous for a learner?
Techineer
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Saturday, October 25, 2008 1:49:12 AM
Regarding regulation of the output voltage.... true regulation would be very difficult to obtain; however, the amount of output voltage will be determined by the number of turns in the primary coil C-D. If you want less output voltage, add more turns on C-D. Fewer turns may produce more output voltage, but run the risk of blowing the transistors, as they will need to conduct more current.
cduma
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 11:32:15 AM
I have also seen a similar circuit using just one transistor
cduma
Solid State Tesla Coil/High Voltage Generator
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 11:31:08 AM
Let me be the first person in the history of the internet to leave a positive response on the forums. This circuit works very well, actualy to well. I was playing with the spark with screwdriver and it arced through the plastic. ahhhh i love the smell of RF burns in the afternoon. I estimate about 50kv. I havent gotten much chance to use it since I keep breaking the transistors via accidental short circuits and overheating. you MUST use heatsink compound. My circuit is an abomination using 7 resistors in parelel and series to get the values required.
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