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Re: Question about ballasting and VA



> Original Poster: "Jeff W. Parisse" <jparisse-at-teslacoil-dot-com>
>

Hi Jeff,

Your method described is interesting (that you find the least current draw at
low voltage then leave the ballast setting in place and just use voltage
control). Have you used this method with different spark gap rates, types,
etc...? If so, did each rate or type of gap produce the same control behavier
(lowest current point on the inductor)?

Bart

> Here's what I observe in the field:
>
> At low voltage I find the inductance point that produces the least current
> draw at the mains. This is also the point where the coil runs most smoothly.
> Then I raise voltage for the desired effect. The inductance point remains
> the same over a wide range of voltages. Current draw indeed goes up
> as I raise the voltage but not the "least current" point on the inductor.