[TCML] RSG speeds vs notches

[Chris Swinson]

Hi all,

with my RSG I used a vac motor and use it on a variac to change the speed. 
It works very well and gives a good range. However I imagine a higher speed 
would be useful in lowering the conduction time of the spark gap (always 
aiming for the first notch!) The motor will have to run fast with a large 
disc to manage it, though do not see any reason why it is not possible.

The problem is as the gap is not in sync with the mains cycles, it is very 
hit and miss so higher speeds work very poor. As such , I wonder if I just 
use some microwave diodes and convert the NST output to DC. Its not really a 
DC coil, just thinking of charging the tank cap up and it holding its charge 
until the RSG fires, the diodes just preventing the tank from discharging.

I suppose the other way is to just a sync cap though it will be in perfect 
sync with the mains, there is no way to alter break rates. The only way 
would be to build a variation of RSG disc making them larger and increases 
break rate speed.

I am not really sure how to work it out. For example if the tank cap 
discharges in 100uS then the RSG needs to conduct for 100uS only. In this 
case it *should* be first notch quench.  However it seems nobody manages it 
?

It would seem 3rd or 4th notch is the normal, but why not build the RSG disc 
larger in dia to increase break rate speeds ? Or even place multiple 
electrodes across the disc so you can tap up or down the electrodes and 
alter the break rate ? I would have thought most people would build RSG in 
this way ?

I understand that if the break rate is to fast the tank will not discharge 
fully. I also understand that if the break is to slow this is where the 
notches come into play as energy passes to and from primary to secondary 
reducing efficiency until eventually around the 4th notch the spark gap 
turns off.

So either I am missing something or this type of gap is technically 
impossible to build in someway ? Maybe  a normal RSG disc would need to be 4 
times larger in dia to increase the break rate 4 times ?

I suppose it is hard to work out the exact discharge time and the spark gap 
break rate times. It is why I wonder about building a disc with rows of 
contacts rather than just the normal 1 row. Then if you have several rows of 
contacts, you can adjust the break rate speeds by tapping up or down the 
rows.. the outer rows speed faster than the inner rows... Then I would 
imagine there would be a optimum row where spark output would be slightly 
better than the rows each side of that particular tap....

Cheers,
Chris