The concept of wireless electricity was introduced around 100 years ago and even today, it is one of the most fascinating and exciting topics for scientific research & development. It was the great scientist Nikola tesla, who actually demonstrated the transmission of electricity wirelessly.

In this Instructable, I decided to make a mini Tesla Tower (similar to a Slayer Exciter), that can power ON any Fluorescent or neon lights wirelessly. However, the concept of wireless electricity is quite different than the concept of slayer exciter. This device can only glow fluorescent and neon lights without actual transmission of electricity whereas wireless transmission devices actually transmit electrical power through electromagnetic Induction.

This is a great project for having fun, experimenting, demonstration in exhibitions and also showing magic tricks.

Step 1: Watch the Video

A video is a wonderful tool that provides deep insight to the procedure and makes it easy to follow. However, it is also recommended to visit next steps for additional useful details and images.

Step 2: Order Parts

Ebay.com

2N2222A Transistor - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Resistor 27k - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
9v Battery - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Battery Clip - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Switch - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Plastic ball - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Hot Glue Gun - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/...
Soldering Iron - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...

Amazon.com

2N2222A Transistor - https://amzn.to/2qXwFKi
Resistor 27k - https://amzn.to/2Gd10Kg
9v Battery - http://amzn.to/2txOMJL
Battery Clip - http://amzn.to/2tegCZf
Switch - http://amzn.to/2q3H05H
Plastic ball - https://amzn.to/2IBJlRF
Hot Glue Gun - http://amzn.to/2vQEINI
Soldering Iron - http://amzn.to/2r3IX6g

Amazon.in

2N2222A Transistor - http://amzn.to/2zZvOfP
Resistor 27k - https://amzn.to/2HTahK1
9v Battery - http://amzn.to/2ulSibD
Battery Clip - http://amzn.to/2sAZNWa
Switch - https://amzn.to/2jVKHIX
Plastic ball - http://amzn.to/2zXuqdn
Hot Glue Gun - http://amzn.to/2rjNE9r
Soldering Iron - http://amzn.to/2qC47qG

From Home & Local Store - 28 AWG Enamel Copper wire, Hard Insulated Wire, PVC Pipe, Tape, Sandpaper, Aluminium Foil, Plastic base and connecting wires.

Step 3: Basic Principle of Operation

It is based on the principle of electromagnetic Induction. A high power switching transistor is used in the circuit that oscillates the low DC voltage at very high frequencies. The air-cored transformer coupled with a primary coil increases the low DC voltage to a very high AC voltage. A strong electromagnetic field is developed around the coil & the hollow sphere. When any fluorescent or neon light is brought closer, the electrons inside the light gets excited and hits the walls due to which the fluorescent lights glow.

Step 4: Make the Coil Tower

Take a 20cm PVC pipe of about 2.1cm diameter.
Wrap about 200 turns of 28 AWG enameled copper wire over the PVC pipe.
Secure the coil over the pipe using tape.
Remove the enamel insulation from both the ends of the wire using sand paper.
Wrap a ping pong ball in a piece of aluminium foil to make a hollow sphere conductor.
Insert one end of the wire inside the aluminium foil in the sphere conductor and secure it with tape.
Using Hot glue, paste the ball at the top center of PVC pipe.

Note: Make sure to refer to the images above or watch the video.

Step 5: Make the Tower Base

Take any plastic box lid and place the tower at the center.
Mark the position of the tower on the lid.
Mark three tiny holes around the tower and a big hole slightly away.
The tiny holes will be used to insert the wires and the bigger hole will be used for switch.
Insert the other end of the wire in the center hole of the base and secure it with hot glue.
Insert a hard insulated single strand wire into the first hole and use hot glue to hold it in place.
Wrap two turns of hard insulated wire around the tower.
Make sure that the direction of turns should be opposite to the direction of wire wrapped on the tower.
Insert the other end of the wire in the third hole.
Insert a switch in the bigger hole to manually control the power to the circuit.

Note: Use can use any drill or make a mini USB Drill at home to make these tiny holes just by watching the video.

Step 6: Connect the Components

Using hot glue, attach a 2n2222a NPN transistor at the bottom of the tower base.
Solder a 27k resistor to the base terminal of the transistor.
Also, solder the enamel wire from the secondary coil to the base terminal of transistor.
Connect one end of the primary coil to the resistor and the '+ve' battery terminal.
Connect the other end of the primary coil to the collector terminal of transistor.
Connect the emitter terminal to the '-ve' battery terminal.

Note: Make sure to refer to the circuit schematic attached above.

Step 7: Test and Debug

Our Wireless Electricity Station project is now ready. Connect a 9v battery and switch ON the circuit. When any fluorescent or neon light is brought close to the tower, it will glow. The brightness will be directly proportional to the distance.

In case the light fails to glow, these are the few steps you can take to ensure the proper working of circuit and rectify the problems:

Double check the circuit and make sure everything is connected properly.
Make sure to use a high power 9v battery because a normal 9v chinese battery will not work with this project.
In case the transistor gets too hot, reduce the no. of secondary coils or reduce the supplied power.

So Friends, this here concludes the instructable, stay tuned and SUBSCRIBE to get latest updates. In case, you might have missed, take a look at the video and see how made this mini Tesla Tower at home.

However, actual wireless electricity transmission to light a bulb is not yet possible but i made a wireless charger to charge a mobile device. Have a look at the instructable here or watch the video below.