Hello! I am currently having a hard time choosing what will be my Tank capacitor. I am currently using a ZVS Driver with a Flyback transformer type 4B.

My questions are:

1) Can I use a bucket capacitor for the tank capacitor? I know that it isn't efficient when compared to MMCs but I would gladly choose lower cost low efficiency side vs higher cost high efficiency side as long as it is safe.

2) Is it possible to measure the voltage rating of a bucket capacitor? If possible, how?

Hoping for answers to my questions. Thanks!

Question

Hello! I am currently having a hard time choosing what will be my Tank capacitor. I am currently using a ZVS Driver with a Flyback transformer type 4B.

My questions are:

1) Can I use a bucket capacitor for the tank capacitor? I know that it isn't efficient when compared to MMCs but I would gladly choose lower cost low efficiency side vs higher cost high efficiency side as long as it is safe.

2) Is it possible to measure the voltage rating of a bucket capacitor? If possible, how?

Hoping for answers to my questions. Thanks!

irishboy123 · Answer

if anyone can do this, it's @radar

radar · Answer

Sorry, but I am not hip to Tesla Coils or whatever project you are building.  In fact although I have heard of "bathtub" capacitors, I have never heard of, or seen a bucket capacitor until your post @radicalsniper.  To determine the voltage rating of a bucket capacitor, the one I looked up use glass for a dielectric the thickness of the beer bottle glass (Corona to be specific lol) so I would assume you would consider what the breakdown of that particular thickness would be.  I hope you have the data sheet for your 4B flyback to assist in identifying the primary and secondary leads.  Wish I could be more helpful, and better yet see it the day you fire it up.

radicalsniper · Answer

Thank you for the help!