tinyTesla: DIY kit for beginners

inductionheater · Jul 23, 2014

Hi guys I'm a high school student new to this forum and want to learn about electronics. What's a good kit to start with? I found the tinyTesla kit on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/onetesla/tinytesla-the-little-singing-tesla-coil-anyone-can but I don't know if it's something good to start with. Is it too hard, or too easy? I'm taking physics right now and I've soldered before. Thanks for the help everyone.

Arouse1973 · Jul 23, 2014

Hello
Are there any areas of electronics that really interest you. Like the physics of electronics, Analogue electronics, digital electronics. There are quite a few companies that sell electronic kits. Where abouts are you? Here is one company that's been going years.

https://www.velleman.eu/products/list/?id=366970

Cheers
Adam

inductionheater · Jul 23, 2014

Hi Adam, I don't really know what I'm interested in, I just want a place to get started. I've done a little soldering and I think that Tesla coils are really cool and I've wanted to build one forever!! I never really understood how they work though so I was hoping I could learn with this kit. It looks like the people who put that on Kickstarter have some others on their website (onetesla.com) but they look a lot bigger and a little too hard.

I also heard the radioshack electronics learning kit is a good place start but none of the projects in there look really as exciting as a Tesla coil. I just wanted to hear some advice before I spent money on it.

Thanks!!!!!

Arouse1973 · Jul 23, 2014

Well if it's a well made kit it should work, have a look on YouTube or Google it for some reviews. If all is ok, give it a go. I am sure we could get it going on here if you are having trouble. Good luck

Adam

(*steve*) · Jul 24, 2014

Tesla coils are tricky and dangerous. Even small ones.

It is exactly the sort of project I would warn beginners to avoid.

Gryd3 · Jul 24, 2014

inductionheater said:
...I never really understood how they work though so I was hoping I could learn with this kit.

Tesla coils are pretty cool, but as Steve has said above, they can be dangerous.
The work by bumping up the voltage to ridiculous levels to be able to arc and jump through the air. This can be deadly. Many call these devices safe by claiming the output current is too low to cause harm, but there are required components that do not care what the output current is.
As a kit, I think it would be quite interesting to put together and would give you a little insight into what happens with these things. I am unsure if this kit is more for educational purposes though, or as a 'DIY' I made it myself kit. The difference will be in the information and material provided. Anyone can plug in pre-assembled parts and not know what they do or how they function, but the 'I did it myself' reward is there. The educational kits will provide enough, or almost enough details that you could buy the parts yourself and construct a new device.

Alternatively, you can look into some less spectacular projects may not show off as much, but could make things easier or more interesting.
http://hackaday.com/?s=barbot

darkfigure · Jul 24, 2014

I personally had a bad time with tesla coils so I would avoid them if I were you..

Arouse1973 · Jul 24, 2014

I don't see a problem with this kit, If the kit is well detailed and you are aware of the dangers of high voltages then give it a go. The dangerous part is when you became complacent about high voltages, ask some TV engineer how many shocks they have had because of complacency. Make sure you follow any power up and power down procedures and what ever you do don't lark about with it, and try and electrocute your friends or your sister if you have one. Start this one with a professional attitude concentrate and follow any instruction carefully, and ask someone responsible to check your work in stages.

But that said Steve point about being dangerous is a valid one.

Adam

BobK · Jul 24, 2014

The output of the Tesla coil is probably safe, because it is very low current and high frequency. The input is not. It's a capacitor charged to several KV. Discharging this capacitor into yourself could be fatal.

Bob

GBshooter · Jul 24, 2014

Why not start with small kits like robotics kits and radios found at electronic stores