Make a Simple Portable Tesla Coil!

Introduction

I've made this Tesla Coil in reference and inspired by José Davēd's video: "DIY Tesla Slayer Exciter Coil Tutorial Mini How to Build Easy Circuit Explanation"

I find that his circuit seems to work really well so I wrote this instructables and also redraw the circuit appropriately since his video did not have a appropriate circuit diagram.

This project is a good starter for people who wants to know about tesla coils. Also a really cool object to place on your work desk!

IT'S REALLY REALLY SIMPLE!! And probably under a tenner!

At the last step you can see some images of it done without a housing!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

The list:

1. 24 SWG Enamelled wire (other sizes may work too)
2. Standard house appliances wire (those used in wiring your house)
3. A blank housing cap
4. Electrical plug housing
5. LED light
6. Switch
7. Transistor BD135
8. Heatsink for the transistor
9. Resistor 47k 1/2watt
10. Breadboard
11. 9- Volt battery holder
12. 9- Volt battery
13. PVC pipe (Mine is approximately 4.3x12cm)

Tools required

• Soldering Iron
• Hot glue gun

Step 2: Making the Primary and Secondary Coil

Secondary coil

Coil some 24SWG enameled wire around a PVC pipe as the secondary coil. I sticked some double sided tape on the PVC pipe before coiling it so the wire will not come off.

Then glue it on to the blank housing cap

Primary Coil

Coil some Standard House Appliance Wire as the primary coil. And hold the shape of the coil with some super glue and hot glue . As two ends of the wire faces downwards drill two holes on the blank housing cap and run the wire down the cap and glue everything in place.

Step 3: Wire the Circuit!

It's an extremely simple circuit, just follow the diagram using a breadboard or not as long as it's wired properly it works.

Step 4: Putting Things Together

On the electrical plug housing, cut out the holes for the switch and LED on the sides and hot glue them in place.

Then wire the secondary coil and primary coil accordingly. At this point you should be able to test the Tesla coil by turning it on and putting a fluorescent bulb next to it and it should light up.

If it doesn't work, swap the wires of the primary coil may do the trick.

Step 5: Complete!

Play around with it and show off to your friends!

Here are some extra pictures of the tesla coil which i've tested without the housing

Comments

[JessK17]

I'm doing this for a college project. It doesn't work. The little picture diagram is different to the circuit diagram in that the base on the circuit diagram is connected to the primary coil and on the picture it's the collector which is connected to just the primary coil. Ive wired it as per the circuit diagram and did it again as per the picture diagram and neither time did it work. The LED won't light up in the circuit. However I've metered out from the negative to the end of the secondary coil and it's 9V so power is obviously getting through. I also tried to wire it exactly how the close up of the board shoes. Everything was exactly how it should be. I've used exactly the same components as you and I've got no lighting of bulbs going on at all. I'm about to fail my module. Please please help!

[agis68]

very good for school projects

[SHOE0007]

Do you know how much voltage per cm2 this device could create?

[SHOE0007]

Cool project.