Make Your Own Tesla Coil

In this project I will firstly show you how a common slayer exciter tesla coil kit works and how you can create your own improved version of a tesla coil that is commonly referred to as a SSTC. Along the way I will talk about the driver circuit, how a tesla coil can play music and how we can upgrade the SSTC to a crude DRSSTC to create even longer arcs at the same input voltage. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Videos!

The 3 videos give you a decent overview on what is necessary to do to create your own tesla coil. During the next steps though I will present you some additional and helpful information.

Step 2: Create the Tesla Coil Itself!

If you watched part 1 & 2 of the video series then you should know how I created my tesla coil. Feel free to print the attached motor adapter file and recreate my demonstrated procedure. The only thing I would do different the next time I create such a tesla coil is that I would not use any paint and use a PVC pipe with a bigger diameter for the primary coil so that short circuits between the primary and secondary are not possible.

Visit your next home improvement store for those parts: PVC pipe, wood screws, spar, plywood

And you can use these sellers to get the mandatory wire (affiliate links):

Ebay: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Aliexpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6nz4Vh

Amazon.de: http://amzn.to/2rEYQgf

Step 3: Create the Driver Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic for the circuit as well as a list with the most important components along with example seller (affiliate links):

Ebay:
4x IGBT: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Arduino Nano:http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 555 Timer IC: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Schmitt trigger: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x IR2184 IGBT driver: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

12x UF4007 Diode: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 7805 Voltage Regulator: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 7812 Voltage Regulator: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x SD Card Module: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Aliexpress:
4x IGBT: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZskGjH

1x Arduino Nano: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dULoNXh

1x 555 Timer IC: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTrUY9D

1x Schmitt trigger: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7b5sGR

2x IR2184 IGBT driver: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUWHxdd

12x UF4007 Diode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYR45Bh

1x 7805 Voltage Regulator: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXSrfiP

1x 7812 Voltage Regulator: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8OcXHl

1x SD Card Module: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUy68bd

Amazon.de

4x IGBT: http://amzn.to/2q93RMe

1x Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/2qHLnX5

1x 555 Timer IC: http://amzn.to/2r5R7uI

1x Schmitt trigger:http://amzn.to/2q9fxhX

2x IR2184 IGBT driver: http://amzn.to/2q98XrV

12x UF4007 Diode: http://amzn.to/2qI6XKW

1x 7805 Voltage Regulator: http://amzn.to/2qI4Xmj

1x 7812 Voltage Regulator: http://amzn.to/2qE8Urn

1x SD Card Module: http://amzn.to/2qEnjEa

Step 4: Upload the Code!

Here you can find the interrupter code for the Arduino. Before uploading it, make sure to download and include these 2 libraries:

https://github.com/greiman/SdFat

https://github.com/TMRh20/TMRpcm

Step 5: Success!

You did it! You just created your own Tesla Coil!
Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[Exec Beni_3]

Does it matter if I use electrolytic or ceramic capavitors?

[drakestraid]

Made a PCB for it but it doesn't work. When hooked up to the coil it just draws the max of my supply at (5A) at ~9V. Probing using a scope the 555 timers are making the right signal but the pin on the arduino going to the interrupt is only at 3.7v solid.Here's a link to the easyeda for those that may be able to help. https://easyeda.com/drakestraid/solid-state-tesla-coil-hv

[Parth_3045]

I want you to share your schematics with easyeda so I can understand it better

[YounghoJ]

Does it share the same Gnd?

[Parth_3045]

Yes

[Arya Shahrestani]

hi i had a problem when compiling : in the images


also im using android version of arduino


thank you very much.
arya

[V1i2v3e4]

Which transistor is used in your slayer exciter.

[KJ22]

Hi love this project l. I have ordered parts to make the secondary. Could u please make the easyEDA file available. It would be much easier to get a board

[MihaM11]

Here I have recreated the circuite in EasyEDA:

https://easyeda.com/morel.m48/sstc-v2

[RaresP]

There's a little mistake with the pot on the 555 oscillator, should be 10K not 100. Anyway, thank you very much for taking the time and sharing the easyEDA!

[aayushn5]

Does the Control Circuit and the Power Circuit shares the same ground?

[Maker BR]

yes, they share same ground

[giorgoschristou]

can i run the same code without the sd module? if no what should i change?

[PatrikD8]

why do i need that arduino code for? what does it do? or do i really nead that arduino? and maybe can you upload better resolution pic for schematic?:) thank you so much for answer :)

[khavoc]

The arduino makes it more efficient and lets you play music and help keep the transistors cool. I found that when i went on mt pc there was a link to the original fike that let me download a copy of the diagram that was very readable.

[khavoc]

Hey, Is there any way we could get the EasyEDA files so we could actually pay to have a board printed ? Just wondering. I love your vids bwt. Awesome job, keep it up.

[h.mad42li33]

pleas run your tesla coil on mains voltage

[aayushn5]

What components should we choose for 325V rectified mains voltage?

[LászlóB27]

Hey,GreatScottLab!

Your design is very nice and helpful!

After a long period of time,this circuit gave me pretty good results.I have to coils,a big and a smaller next to eachother,connected in series and im using a halfbridge driver with the IR2110 and two IRFP460's.As the input signal I'm using a 555 in astable mode with 2x1k resistors and a 330pF capacitor.The input voltage is around 100VDC open circuit(adapters and transformers in series)and after tuning the secondary's resonance by changing the topload size on the big coil finally gave me some results.With the primary resonant capacitor i get pretty hot arcs,the same size as yours and after insulating the circuit by aluminium foil i get even better.It started drawing around 1 amps(before just around 300mA)and as I move my hand closer,it starts going crazy.If i put my hand closer,and then away,then big,7-8cm arcs starts going to my skin.Of course it hurts but it worth. :)

Now the problem is with my feedback.I can easily see that it have no feedback,because by moving my hand closer sometimes the arcs gets weaker or completly stops.I tried to use any kind of feedback antenna with different capacitors and diodes in the circuit,but with this setup it gives me very weak output and the current drawn also decreases...Im running the IR2110 without shutdown interrupter(SD tight to ground).

Have u got some ideas how can I use a feedback for my circuit?Is a problem if one adaptor's negative is grounded to earth and my secondary is also grounded to earth?

[GreatScottLab]

When I tried to implement the feedback with the IR2113 (similar to IR2110) I also did not have any luck. Try switching to the IGBT driver that I used (IR2184)