[TCML] Optimizing coil performance

[futuret at aol.com]

David,

It can be difficult to get sparks that are longer than 4X the
toroid diameter.  If you install a 36" or 40" diameter toroid, then
you'll probably get 12 foot sparks without doing anything
else other than retuning as needed for the larger toroid.
You can add the larger toroid above the existing one if
you'd like.

Cheers,
John


-----Original Message-----
From: David Kronstein <david_kronstein at telus.net>
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla at pupman.com>
Sent: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 2:41 am
Subject: [TCML] Optimizing coil performance


Hi all, 
 
I'm getting my Tesla coil up and running again, and I'm revisiting the 
design trying to improve performance. Currently the coil struggles to 
get 7-8' arcs with 10kVA input, with the spark gap firing at a 
capacitor voltage of around 20-24kV. The current specs of the coil are: 
 
Power: 10kVa 14.4kV pole pig, arc welder as variable inductor ballast 
Capacitor: 0.136uF 24kV MMC (originally 0.204uF) 
Spark gap: 240bps SRSG 
Prmary: 3/8" copper tube, 3/8" spacing, 13" ID flat pancake, currently 
tapped at 6.7 turns 
Secondary: 20AWG, 8.5" dia, 48" winding length 
Toroid: 8" x 24" 
Fres: ~100kHz 
 
What would you guys recommend changing or upgrading to get better 
performance? I'm currently thinking of getting a variac to control 
input power, because the variable inductor affects optimum RSG phasing. 
 
Regards, 
David K
ronstein 
_______________________________________________ 
Tesla mailing list 
Tesla at www.pupman.com 
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla