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Fw: More rotary gap questions...

Subject:  Fw: More rotary gap questions...
  Date:   Wed, 23 Apr 1997 08:31:53 -0600
  From:   "Phillip Jarvis" <jarvisp-at-bee.d93.k12.id.us>
    To:   <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>


> > 
> > > I just received information from Ross Engineering Corp. (408)
377-4621.
> > > In addition to making static spark gaps at $450 a pop,
> > 
> > $450.00 a pop for static gaps! Geezz at that price it should be a
> > rotary gap with tungsten carbide gap points!
> 
> Hi Alfred and all,
> 
> I have just one small statement. Please don't confuse tungsten carbide
> with metallic tungsten, they are two very different materials with two
> very different uses. Tungsten carbide is used for cutting tools and must
> be machined with a soft green (silicon carbide) wheel or diamond wheel
> and is not a good material for spark gap studs because it is very
> brittle and not a very good conductor. Metallic tungsten on the other
> hand is an excellent conductor and has a very high melting point (6000
> degrees+ F.) making it a superb choice for rotary gap studs. It works
> well for fixed gaps too.
> 
> Safe Coiling Always,
> 
> Ed Wingate
> 
> > > they make toroids, spheres and corona nuts for spark gaps. What
interested
> > > me are the non melting carbon spheres with tapped holes for
screws/bolts.
> > > The sphere diameters range from 1 cm to 30.5cm. The advantage of
carbon is
> > > that it does not "pit" or "peak", and handles the heat very well.
These
> > > were made specifically for spark gaps, lightening arresters, and
other
> > > high current applications in pulse forming networks.
> > 
> > Unless they do something to that carbon that I've never heard of it's
> > going to pit worse than any metal! ever look at the carbon rods in an
> > arc light! They look like the ends have been gnawed on!
> > 
> > 

You are absolutely right. I contacted the manufacturer - their reply was
the carbon spheres are for fast pulse applications where the voltage may
be
high, but the current is in the uA range. They didn't realize that TC
coils
operated at considerably higher power levels than their designs - even
though I told them the required voltage and current ratings.  Sorry for
the
bum information.
Phil Jarvis