It's a bombarder transformer for neon signs. Quite similar to a pole mount distribution transformer (sometimes pigs ARE used as bombarders). Definitely at least 20x more powerful than an MOT
WOW!!! Epic Arcs! My friend, Peter, and I built a coil using a 5KW 240Vac to 6KVac transformer and mica paper capacitors and got 7' arcs off of it. We donated it to the Science Museum of Minnsota. I was told they only turned the giant dual variac up to "4" because they were afraid of it, LOL! The sweet spot was at "7". If you went beyond that, the arcs seemed to get shorter and did not sound as sweet. Not sure why that was...
Mr Tesla would probably like to see a properly tuned coil actually doing what he intended it to do. All these stupid lookatmestillmorealsoagainnow yootoobahs making badly tuned coils that throw sparks everywhere make people think that's all these things do. "Duuhhh, der herrr hurr, noise goes *BRRRRRRR* and sparks! Yay!"
Don't put down the hard work of others before you yourself make a coil. Be happy he is showing off a variant of the standard design that few get to see in action.
Wish I could get let into this community. Like a forum for events like this. I've only seen one operating at a museum. Life long fascination. Very nice machine the tuning is very well done output across many frequencies is extreme.
Oh boy. Anyone else get a tear in their eye seeing such a devastating Tesla Coil? I just did. Amazing machine!!!! That is the primary that huge white cylinder 30 feet from secondary? And the white cylinders left of spark gap.. Capacitors?
