Practical problem with SRGS

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Mddeming-at-aol-dot-com>

Hi All,
      Don't everybody panic, but yes, this really is a post from me on a
non-theoretical, non-philosophical topic. (Gasp!)
I have just completed a "Face-down" SRGS, that is, with the motor mounted
vertically with shaft through the top of the 12"x12"x6" "Blast Box"  with the
moving electrodes pointing downwards from the face of the disk, and the
stationary electrodes mounted on a  rotatable PVC ring pointing upwards from
the floor of the box.(Think commode flange) I am using a 6"X1/2"  disk with two
electrodes and a 3600 RPM SP motor rated 1/7 hp so power should not be a
problem. 
         The position of the electrodes checks out with a modified RS strobe
(thanx for the design, Terry) The test setup is as follows: 
I am using a spare 15/60 Allanson NST supplied from a 120V/20A Variac. Power to
motor is off a different circuit and is not adjusted. For test purposes, the
gap is just across the HV terminals with gaps set at ~4mm each. the blast box
has a 4" fan mounted in a hole on one side for ozone removal. ends of box are
1/4" PVC pegboard. Sides, top, and bottom are 1/2" Melamine-coated composition
board.
What I expected: Nice uniform sparks with a fairly constant hum (compared to my
sucker gap),so it could be fine-tuned before installing on coil.
What I got: Bursts of erratic sparks with several-second periods of silence
between.
Question, has anyone had similar experience? If so,what am I missing?


Matt D. 
G3-1085