Re: [TCML] RF Grounding

[Daniel Hess <dhess1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Scott;

I agree. The 'solvent vapors' were actually Richards words, not mine. I 
was curious though because I've built many secondary coils of various 
sizes and have had good luck using plain old GE silicone RTV from the home 
improvement store for the baffles and end caps. To date I've never lost a 
secondary coil yet (knock, knock, knock) which is at least partly due more 
to the presence of the baffles rather than the kind of adhesive I used to 
mount them.

I guess what I was really asking is; Is there something better out there 
than common RTV (such as the electrical grade RTV which you mentioned)? I 
used to make crude plasma displays (Devil's Furnace?) from those 2 gallon 
pickle jars. I sealed the screw-on lid with common RTV but the acetic acid 
would cloud the glass on the inside as it cured. This list is an excellent 
way to discover who's doing what with what, what works, what doesn't and 
so on. I couldn't count the money I've saved by learning from others 
who've been there, done that.

Thanks,

Daniel



"huil888" <huil888@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
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03/08/2008 04:16 PM
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Re: [TCML] RF Grounding






Daniel -

Actually, RTV silicone sealants don't release any "solvents" during 
curing, 
but most of the more common "household" grades of silicone caulking 
componds 
and sealants do release acetic acid vapors as a by-product of curing. This 

is why they have a distinct acetic acid smell, like vinegar, once they 
start 
curing. It is possible that the acetic acid residue is what caused Richard 

Q's problem long ago, although I don't recall if his problem was arcing 
inside the secondary coilform.

There are special RTV silicone sealants that do not release acetic acid. 
Electronic-grade silicone sealants like General Electric RTV-162 release 
alcohol during curing, which evaporates without leaving any conductive 
residue. There are also special automotive silicone sealants that are 
labeled as "safe for catalytic converters"; they also do not release 
acetic 
acid.

I seem to recall that someone else (long ago) had a secondary that 
actually 
caught on fire because of internal arcing that ignited trapped solvent 
vapors from the PVC solvent-type glue that he used to attach end caps or 
to 
seal internal baffles.

I've always just used the electronic-grade RTV sealents to secure internal 

baffles, and never had any problems with internal arcing, trapped solvent 
vapors igniting, etc.

Regards,
Scott Hanson


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Daniel Hess" <dhess1@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx>; "Tesla Coil Mailing List" 
<tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: [TCML] RF Grounding


> Richard;
>
> So what have you found to attach baffles and end caps with that doesn't
> involve those nasty solvent vapors?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Daniel Hess
>
>
>
> Richard Quick <rtqii@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent by: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx
> 03/07/2008 11:28 PM
> Please respond to
> Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
> To
> Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> cc
>
> Subject
> Re: [TCML] RF Grounding
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> People were literally building bombs in some cases... That I wanted to
> clear up just to prevent injuries which would make everyone look bad.
> Others were using silicone sealants for baffles and end caps... I used 
to
> myself, until I traced a failure back to the solvent vapors.
>
> Thanks for everything :)
>
> Richard
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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