Re: Capacitor Dielectric

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Mddeming-at-aol-dot-com>

In a message dated 5/24/01 10:15:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes: 



>
> Original poster: "shimonek2 by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" < 
> shimonek2-at-home-dot-com> 
>
> I am just getting started on my first tesla coil.  I have located a 15 KV / 
> 30 
> mA NST and have begun work on building my capacitor.  (couldn't find enough 
> cheap caps for a MMC)  I am using 19 Al plates 6" x 8" separated by a 
> distance 
> of 1/2" submersed in oil.  According to my calculation using a K of 2.2 for 
> mineral oil that will give me a .0055 uF capacitor.  This seems like a very 
> simple and easy to construct design, have others tried it?  By mineral oil 
> are 
> the charts referring to motor oil?  Can I use motor oil?  I even considered 
> adding a quart of Slick 50 for the added PTFE.  Any thoughts? 



No, mineral oil is Not motor oil. It is a colorless liquid, used as a 
laxative for people and cattle and as a solvent for many insecticide sprays. 
It is often available in gallon jugs from farm supply or garden stores, 
nurseries etc. Drug stores sell it, highly refined, in 4-8 oz bottles for the 
same price as a gallon from the local weed & feed. Mineral oil also has a 
higher flash point than most motor oils. Also, the clear liquid looks cooler 
IMO than the yellow-brown motor oil, especially if you use something like a 
real fish tank for your tank cap. 

Matt D.