Tesla Coils Resurrected

A potent “little brother” to “Big TC,” this Tesla coil version is inexpensive, easy to build, and it can put out 30,000 volts!

If you have read the preceding article on “Big TC,” you will have learned that a Tesla coil is simply a radio-frequency step-up transformer carried to extreme limits. While a coil that can generate 150,000-200,000 volts is exciting and very dramatic, many of the same visual effects can be demonstrated on a smaller scale with “Li'l TC.” In fact, “Li'l TC” is much safer, easier to build, and less expensive - your junk box probably contains many of the necessary parts.

The only item many experimenters will have to buy in order to build “Li'l TC” is the r.f. coil. This coil is manufactured by the J. W. Miller Co. for use in generating the high voltages required in large-screen TV receivers. It is an item that is not stocked by many parts stores, although most of them can obtain it for you within 48 hours. If you have trouble finding the coil, it can be ordered from Allied Radio Corp., 100 N. Western Ave., Chicago 80, Ill., as their stock number 61G102 at a price of $8.82 plus postage. An experienced project builder may not find it necessary to buy one of these coils, but may be able to construct “Li'l TC” using a high-voltage transformer from a large-screen old-style TV receiver.