Options for coil on first PI im building

[Matt_Rowe]

This is my first build and here is what i bought, wondering which configuration would be best for a start,it is going on a surf PI but i have a mini-pulse coming from andy, the surf is prebuilt and tested,
I have a 7 inch shell , so how about a concentric, or about a co-planer. I was thinking bbsailer fast coil, single wire around outside edge, or the co-planer with an out side coil and inner coil, or a basket weave, 1 of those 3 because of the coil shell i have, i also realize that a 7 inch coil is kind a small for beach use, doesn't cover very much ground, i may make me a vacuum table to make my own shells for future use since i can get material for free and im a carpenter from amongst other things i do

[waltr]

If this is the very first coil and detector you build then make a simple MONO coil.

The co-planar (concentric) is an IB (Induction Balanced) coil that is a bit tricky to correctly Null. Save making one for after you have the Mono coil working. An IB coil also requires the PI detector to have the option of a TX coil and RX coil connections. Don't remember if the Surf PI has this option.

7 inch coil is fine to get started with. Sounds like you have the skills and tools to build a vacuum table and coil shell forms.
Check DBowers web site on how he did his vacuum table:
https://sites.google.com/site/dbcoilshells/home

[Matt_Rowe]

Thanks again waltr, always to my rescue, i downloaded both of bowers pdf files on his vacumm table, i have an ac evac pump already, air comp,shop vac, all the good stuff, chop saw, mag skil saw,pin nailer, now i even have a BK oscilloscope on the way, 2 channel,60khz,from the owner, works great,excellent shape, $30,bringing it tome. so i am on my way, plus i just bought an LCR meter from amazon. And a digital soldering iron., ill do a mono coil from bbsailer fast coil article i downloaded.


not sure if this is what i want for wire from his build sheet
20 feet 30 AWG Gauge Solid PTFE Teflon Thin wall Silver Plated wire yellow
Do i want silver plated, or just copper stranded

Just read carls text on coils, said not to use silver plated wire.

this what is in his coil build
I am going to use AWG 30 single strand
Teflon wire that is 0.024”OD (+/- .002”).
I obtained my Teflon wire from eBay
(search on the words “Teflon wire”).

[surfdetector]

Due to the higher conductivity of the silver wire eddy currents will be induced which would not be desirable.

[Matt_Rowe]

Thanks surf, i downloaded some files from the forum here from carl, and a few other of you guys that are great with stuff, liike you, i got an BK 2160 2 channel 60mhz scope coming in great shape from the seller and its been tested and showed me a square wave and all before i purchased. Just received
my mpp from andy, but will build the surf since its completed. and use it for practice with the coil building.
I watched your vid again last night on your coil build.
Do you guys check every component before install on board to make sure they work, if so, i guess i would have to look on google and see how to test all parts

[kt315]

i check every resistor despite i read color stripes without problem. i check every pot and trimmer.
i do not check film caps because they are always good. i check every electrolitics on ESR. but with >1000uF i check just on value.
i check every transistor, every LED, by chinese tester. i check op amps by op amp tester.
i check every ceramic cap on value.
so all that give me 99 of success that board will be working good.

[surfdetector]

Do you guys check every component before install on board to make sure they work, if so, i guess i would have to look on google and see how to test all parts

I check every component prior to installation other than the integrated circuits. It is good practice and saves you some frustration down the road. LCR testers these days are cheap as chips and can handle most of the testing jobs.
I need to add an op amp tester to my kit.

[Matt_Rowe]

yes, i bought an LCR meter from amazon already, plus i have my Klein multi testor, ac and dc.
Andy sent me a barracuda board instead of minipuilse, i need to build a coil first, sent you a message,
thanks to all, i cant read the resisters yet, i have to look at a chart or use online tool that has color codes.
most all that i got with this kit checked out fine before inoticed it was the wrong kit, still have to figure out what 2 items are called, didnt get any ohms reading when i used my multitestor which read good on all others, including caps

[6666]

I always check every component before installation, I mount irf740 and voltage regs etc on pcb pins, found a few faulty and wrong marked parts before.

[kt315]

i mount IRF740 just after i had see a pulse on its GATE in normal range, by o-scope. that gives me full confidence
that IRF740 will be not burnt.

[Matt_Rowe]

does it matter who thick the actual wire is as in diameter, say for the same 30awg 2 different wire size say 0.0108 VS .0110 inches VS

.0117 probably not right

.0117

[Matt_Rowe]

or this size
0.0098

[kt315]

sorry, i am not on territory of US. we use here 'metric system'.
inches are good if 1 inch is 2.54mm but your system 3/4 1/8 5/8 is nonsence for me (((

[Matt_Rowe]

i forget about where people might be at,
.01===0.254mm
.0098====0.203

these are close enough,

[kt315]

google. A thousandth of an inch is a derived unit of length in a system of units using inches. Equal to 1⁄1000 of an inch, it is normally referred to as a thou, a thousandth, or (particularly in the United States) a mil.
mistaked. 1 inch = 2.54 cm.