Orders - Frequently Asked Questions

Ordering Questions

 

What’s a Tesla coil?

For FAQ about Tesla coils go here.

Who should build tinyTesla and oneTesla TS?

tinyTesla is suitable for anybody who can solder. Middle and high school students can build this kit under adult supervision. oneTesla TS is a more complex kit that is suitable for people with at least some experience in electronics.

What are the safety hazards of Tesla coils?

High voltage at high frequency. Never touch the output of a Tesla coil.

High current. The primary side of the Tesla coil has hundreds of amps flowing through it. Never operate a Tesla coil outside of its chassis, and do all power testing hands-off.

Ozone buildup. Ionized air creates ozone, which is an irritant gas. Only use a Tesla coil in a well-ventilated area.

EMI hazard. Radiated energy from the Tesla coil can interfere with nearby electronics. KEEP AWAY FROM THE TESLA COIL IF YOU HAVE A PACEMAKER OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEDICAL DEVICE.

Ear protection recommended. tinyTesla is not very loud, but oneTeslaTS is. Wear ear protection if you're in an enclosed space.

Are the kits compatible with 220V for use outside of the United States/Canada/Mexico?

Yes, there is only a one-component difference between the 110V and 220V versions. However, all of our kits come with U.S. power cords, so those outside of the U.S. will need an adapter.

How much power does each kit draw?

tinyTesla draws about 50W and oneTeslaTS and original oneTesla draw about 500W.

What equipment do I need to assemble a Tesla coil kit?

You need a good soldering iron, a multimeter, and common hand tools: a small screwdriver, wire cutters, diagonal cutters, needlenose pliers. You’ll also need a small amount of your favorite type of glue, as well as some varnish to coat the secondary coil. If you build your circuit properly and do not need to do extensive troubleshooting, you will get by fine without an oscilloscope or any sophisticated test equipment. However, it’s recommended to have a ‘scope or access to one if you run into problems.

Why do I need a replacement parts set?

The replacement parts sets are useful for having the chance to start anew if you run into issues like installing components backwards by accident-- classic rookie mistakes everyone is bound to make! It’s also useful to have a set of replacement parts during troubleshooting, to let you have a known working set of parts if you’re tracing down a bug. They contain the main board and interrupter board, as well as all components to populate them.

Do I need to buy both the oneTeslaTS kit and the SD interrupter kit?

No, you don’t have to buy both of the kits. The SD interrupter kit is included in the oneTeslaTS Musical Tesla Coil Kit.

How long does it take to build a complete, working coil from the kit?

This is dependent upon your experience level with soldering and electronics. No matter what, be sure to give yourself enough time and do not work on the Tesla coil if you are unsure of yourself or in an impaired state. If you find yourself having trouble, our forum offers many troubleshooting guides.

What is the cost of shipping within the United States?

Please use the shipping estimator utility in the shopping cart for a quote. To estimate when your shipment will arrive, please refer to the USPS or UPS websites.

Do you ship internationally? How much is international shipping?

Yes, we do ship internationally! We offer shipping options via United States Postal Service (USPS) or United Parcel Service (UPS). While USPS is the more economical option, note that the package is handed to the destination country’s postal service, so once it leaves the United States it can no longer be tracked until it is delivered. If you have any questions about the status of the order once it leaves the US, you will need to contact your local postal service. For this reason we highly recommend you select UPS for shipping outside of the United States. Rates vary, but they are usually between $100 and $200, and packages are usually delivered within 2 days.

For a more detailed estimate of the shipping cost to your location, please use the shipping estimator in the shopping cart. For a more detailed estimate of when your shipment will arrive, please refer to the USPS or UPS websites.

Please note that you will be responsible for any customs fees or VAT.

Can you mark an international package as a “gift” or a lesser value, for customs purposes?

In the best interest of the company and our own personal karma, we are always honest with our customs declarations and will not mark packages as a lesser value.

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes, we accept purchase orders, but only via e-mail. Please send them to sales@onetesla.com. If you have any questions or can only send a PO via fax, call us at 617-684-5822 and we’ll work something out.

Hooray, I just ordered my oneTesla kit! How long will it take to arrive?

We’re so happy you’ve decided to build your own Tesla coil! Kits usually ship out within two weeks. Select a faster shipping option for the fastest delivery time. 

How will I know when my order has shipped?

You will receive an email when your order ships. It will include a tracking number so that you can monitor your order’s progress until it arrives. 

I’m having trouble ordering. What do I do?

Oh no, we’re so sorry you’re having issues! Feel free to give us a call at 617-684-5822 or send an email to nikola@onetesla.com and we can help you place your order.

I received my order, but a part was missing. Whom do I contact about this?

We’re certainly not perfect! We apologize if there are parts missing from your kit. Feel free to give us a call at 617-684-5822 or send an email to nikola@onetesla.com and we will send out your missing parts ASAP.

I started building my Tesla coil but…um…I think I messed up and now I need some extra parts.

No problem! If you make a mistake in soldering and need to try again, oneTesla sells a variety of replacement components on our website.

Do you supply individual components?

We will consider supplying individual replacement components to kit customers. Otherwise, the only individual components that we have available are the ones listed for sale on our website.

I built my Tesla coil but it didn’t function correctly. Can I get a refund or replacement?

Unfortunately, no. oneTesla does not provide refunds or replacements. As our product is a kit assembled by the customer, we do not assume any responsibility for the functioning of the coil after assembly. Fortunately, we have a forum that can help you troubleshoot any issues you may have come across while building your Tesla coil. Our return policy is also outlined in Section 10 of our Terms and Conditions.

What is your return policy?

Kits can only be returned within 30 days if they are unopened and unassembled and are subject to a 15% restocking fee. Please email nikola@onetesla.com to discuss a return.

Will the 220V kit produce bigger sparks?

No. The two versions are exactly the same, except for one part. The only difference between 110V and 220V is the transformer, which is specific to the voltage of the wall outlet in your country. 110V should be used in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Brazil. 220V should be used in Europe, the UK, and elsewhere outside of the US. The output of the coil is exactly the same in both versions. If you will be traveling between the U.S. and abroad and want a coil to work in both places, the easiest thing to do is buy two kits. Otherwise you would need to purchase a separate transformer and swap them out depending on where you're using the kit.