VERSION 4 - VTTC

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This is my first working vacuum tube tesla coil, or VTTC. This is probably the fourth VTTC design I've built, the first three were unsuccessful. However, this tesla coil is all-tube, NOT one solid state component can be found in this circuit. This tesla coil runs on very low power, the power supply provides about 320VDC. Below is a schematic diagram of the version 4 VTTC tesla coil.

Parts List/Specifications
V1 - 5Y3
V2 - 6146
R1 - 0.8 ohms, 10W
R2 - 330K ohms, 2W
R3 - 50K ohms, 1W (100K variable resistor optional)
R4 - 47K ohms, 1W
R5 - 40K ohms, 1W
C1 - 20uF 450V electroylic
C2 - 20uF 450V electroylic
C3 - 0.05uF 800V
C4 - 0.025uF 1600V
C5 - 100 to 500pF 600V mica
L1 - 20-30uH choke
L2 - 15 turns 24 gauge on R4
L3 - 15 turns 24 gauge on 3-inch PVC pipe
L4 - 10 turns 24 gauge on 4-inch PVC pipe
L5 - About 285 turns 24 gauge on 2-inch PVC pipe - 6 inches from bottom to top
T1 - 300V, 6.3V power transformer

This tesla coil is based on the Armstrong oscillator. Once running, it gives continous oscillations and works pretty well after it's allowed to warm up for about 30 seconds. As said earlier, this is a low power VTTC, and the discharges produced are not very large nor dazzling.

Version 4 VTTC Pictures:


Version 4 VTTC


Top View


1/4-inch discharges


Discharges in light bulb


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