[TCML] Spark gap assembly, acrylic?? and toroid size

[bunnykiller]

Hey John...

I havent built the spark gap as shown with the aluminum holders but I 
did build the one without the aluminum... I had it running on a coil 
that was powered by 4 15/30 NST's in paralell and it worked quite well. 
Eventually tho, I had to clean the surfaces of the tubes due to 
oxidation etc. I found that adding a small fan to the unit increased its 
quenching too... see link below for pictures

http://members.cox.net/bunnikillr/sprk.htm

As far as plastics, obtain a cutting board ( white plastic 1/4"+ 
thickness) from places like Wal Mart etc. Usually they are made of HDPE
( Hi-Density-Poly-Eurathane).
acrylic,polycarbonate,lexan,plexiglass are ok for low temp applications 
but can be either brittle or "gummy" when machined ( altho Lexan is 
great at low speeds and cuts nice)  normally clear in color
Perfboard isnt really a plastic its more of a laminate/epoxy combo
MMC's are good on either HDPE, perfboard or G-10
Sparkgaps work best with G-10 due to the heat produced
Primary coil, once again HDPE

Toriod size "normally" is about the same over dia = to length of 
secondary and smaller dia =to a bit less than secondary dia.
example, you have a 20X4.5    toroid would be good at  18-20 X 3-4

a second primary on a different power supply... ummm I would say no.  a 
bi level primary on a single supply would work... someone on the list 
has done so but I dont remember who did it... I dont know if it 
increased output tho, seems to me it wouldnt..

A magnifier is a "2 coil system", it has a very tight coupling 
coeficient on the 1st primary/secondary coil which drives a second 
secondary and toroid. Special design considerations must be made to get 
this type of system to work properly. Antonio has some great literature 
on this type of coil...

Scot D


John Matok wrote:

>I'm nearing the end of construction (for now) and I have 4 questions.
>
>1) Has anyone tried to build the spark gap described on this page?
>
>http://www.kronjaeger.com/hv-old/misc/scotsgap/index.html
>How do you think it will work?  It looks fun to build.
>
>2) I know I'm not supposed to mount stuff (MMC, spark gap, primary coil) on
>wood because it contains moisture (right?).  So I've been told that I should
>use many different plastics such as perf board, HDPE, Lexan, PVC, plain old
>cutting board, acrylic, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.  That's all a
>little overwhelming!  Is there a difference, what should I use, and where
>can I find it?
>
>3) This has probably been discussed before, but I can't find any thing
>definitive.  How big should my toroid be?  I'm planning on using aluminum
>ducting and pie pans.  I've got a 9/30 NST and a 20" tall 4.5" diameter
>secondary.
>
>4) Is it possible to add another primary under an already existing one and
>attach it to a different primary circuit?  Would that double the output?
>Maybe I'm describing a magnifier.  I'm not sure.
>
>Thanks
>
>John Matok
>_______________________________________________
>Tesla mailing list
>Tesla at www.pupman.com
>http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
>  
>