Thanks John for the info. I did buy a 20A 0-130vac auto transformer variac which actually provides 145 vac out. So therefore my 2 120 vac neon sign transformers should provide 18,125 vac instead of 15,000 vac which should provide 4-5" longer sparks if I figured out the 50-66% efficiency correctly. Should be a good show anyway.
Thanks, Tim
> On Mar 27, 2015, at 10:15 PM, wt5y <wt5y@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Regular incandescent light bulb will act like a plasma ball and breakout point. Plastic handles will sometimes glow before catching on fire. I had a yellow handle file from harbor freight that would. A plastic dog water bottle or similar with and identical toroid on top will act like a cap and retain a small charge after turning off. A grounded strike target close to your max spark length will give you bright white arcs. If you have a plasma screen from a tv ( I fix tvs and usually have one laying around) you can charge it up like a plate capacitor ( works really good with a van DE graaf) . With a relay you can do like mine and have it where a separate nst starts a Jacobs ladder then switches to tesla coil once you key it ( I use Morse code paddle) letting go goes back to Jacobs ladder. I like a variac. Makes it more convenient to switch on and off vs unplugging. Also using the key can send Morse or play a tune if you have any rhythm on a spark gap coil. Any am radio or ham radio if have will break squelch like a regular lightening strike would so you can " hear" what your transmitting. Some sort of aluminum can electrostatic motor should turn to.
>
> John WT5Y
>
>
> Sent from my Samsung GALAXY S5™, a Cricket 4G LTE smartphone
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Timothy Gilmore <tdg8934@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date:03/27/2015 14:37 (GMT-06:00)
> To: Futuret <futuret@xxxxxxx>, Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Mid sized Tesla Coil - Done
>
> I'm planning on having a showing of my mid sized Tesla Coil on Monday at my
> backyard for about 15+ co-workers that have shown interest in my mid size
> tesla coil project. Here are some of the things we will be experimenting
> with (3-4 foot sparks):
>
> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagcW23FY4yx6D4kWodMbKA
>
> Are there other things I can do with my coil?
>
> Tim
>
>> On Tue, Mar 24, 2015 at 4:26 PM, Futuret via Tesla <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> Tim, The middle can be open. I used to use an X type central support
>> as you mentioned when I used ducting toroid. There is no rule for
>> thickness of center plates, etc. It doesn't matter. Just be sure
>> to connect the top of the secondary wire to the toroid or even
>> through the X type support to the toroid if the X support is metal.
>>
>> The toroid donut can be hollow (air filled inside), it makes no
>> difference. Usually they are hollow (much more lightweight).
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Timothy Gilmore <tdg8934@xxxxxxxxx>
>> To: mddeming <mddeming@xxxxxxx>; Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
>> Sent: Tue, Mar 24, 2015 4:56 pm
>> Subject: Re: [TCML] Mid sized Tesla Coil - Done
>>
>>
>> Thanks all for your excellent input on top loads - Toroids.
>>
>> Does the middle
>> section have to be "filled in" with a metal object like a
>> pie pan? I thought I
>> saw a picture online that had an X or + shape middle
>> section to reach out to
>> the donut shape and hold it to the top of the
>> secondary. If it has to be filled
>> in with a metal surface like a pie pan,
>> is there any rule on how thick it should
>> be in the middle - or just enough
>> to hold the donut shape in place?
>>
>> Also I saw
>> online one design using filler material inside and outside of
>> the donut shape.
>> Should the donut not be hollow inside with air?
>>
>> Thanks - Tim
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
>> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
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