Let’s donate a Tesla coil to Berkeley High!

Check out our video in the decription above!

The Tesla Twins

We are twin brothers currently attending Berkeley High School as juniors. Ever since we were very young, we had great interest in the sciences (especially physics). When we first saw a video of a Tesla coil on YouTube, we were inspired. We talked for countless days about when we would finally figure out how to build our own. After months of dedicated research, we had completed the construction of a several hundred thousand volt Tesla coil. By building that Tesla coil, we established a scientific confidence. That was one year ago. Since then we have designed and built many different apparatuses capable of truly awesome powers. Our goal is to inspire others like we were inspired. To give anyone the confidence to do great things.

What We Need

• 2x 12kv 60ma transformer. (In phase) $600
• 6"x24" Spun aluminum toroid $600
• Base components (High quality walnut plywood, lexan board) $100
• Wire, forms, tubing, accessories, grounding, demonstration props $300
• Rotary spark gap (motor, tungsten rods, acrylic board, switch) $200
• Tools, casters, polyurethane, shellac, screws $200 Capacitors $400
• GoGetFunding, credit card, Paypal fees $180

We only need 2400 but all of the fees will take away 7% of our income. So to determine how much we actually need, we used this equation: (2400 / 93) * 100 = 2580.64 = $2580  

A plan for inspiring the young engineers and physicists of Berkeley

Many students today do not take advantage of the resources given to them. It is too easy for students to think that "the scientists will eventually figure it out." Students are not given enough motivation by the science classroom to go out and do something big. How can one expect a fruit if no one planted a seed. The only regret we have about doing awesome science experiments is that we should have started earlier. Donating a 5 foot Tesla coil to our high school will not only provide an excellent demonstration apparatus for resonance frequency, wireless electricity, inductance, capacitance... It will also instill a "wow" unto whoever is witnessing it. The first time we saw a Tesla coil on YouTube, we were hooked. Even though we had never built one before and knew absolutely nothing about them, we had a goal. After doing months of research, we finally ordered the parts (with some funding from family members) and completed our first Tesla coil. We now both pursue careers in electrical engineering or physics because of how awesome we know both to be. Witnessing our Tesla coil's first light was truly one of the greatest experiences in our lives. 

As Nikola Tesla said,

"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything."

We hope to inspire our classmates to follow a path of science like we did. This device already worked on us. We calculated that we need around $2400 to build the Tesla coil. Any extra money will go towards our plan of making a DRSSTC (double resonant solid state Tesla coil) or musical Tesla coil. We will need about $700 dollars for the musical Tesla coil project. We have never built a DRSSTC before so this will be a huge learning experience if we get enough extra money.

Risks & Challenges

We do not expect to encounter many challenges but there is always the chance of something not going to plan. Through our experience of working with Tesla coils, we have much experience with troubleshooting. When we constructed our first Tesla coil, we had an issue called over-coupling where high voltage arcs would connect the secondary and primary circuit. This problem was fixed be adding a cap to the secondary coil as to increase the height and prevent these arcs from forming. Another possible issue is that we might not get donors their perks (especially more expensive ones) to them on time. We are just high school students and do not possess a manufacturing facility but we will get you your rewards ASAP.

Other Ways You Can Help

Do you want to help out but cannot donate? No problem! If you are interested in seeing our project's fruition, please share our campaign over social media. The only way we are going to get funded to completion is by greater public awareness.