Re: Wimshurst (tesla coil current)

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

Original poster: Finn Hammer <f-h-at-c.dk> 

Wimshursters:

I have had fine results using FR4 PCB material as disks for Wimhurst machines.
The prototype vas just plain PCB, home etched in ferrochloride. The next 
batch were professionately made, goldplated sectors and soldermask, both 
for "boy, does that look good" effect.
Makes it easy to have 48 exactly placed sectors. The neutralizing points 
were small roundheaded screws, and although they promoted interdisk spark 
formation at the low voltage end of the machine, they started up easily, 
and produced as much spark as the acryllic disked machines that they 
replaced. Sectors don`t fall off these disks.
I also deviced a drive layout with only one long belt, which does not have 
to be crossed at one of the disks. This saves the machine from becoming 
covered vith rubber dust in time.
This is getting OT, so if anyone is interested in this belt layout, I`l 
describe it in more detail on the high viltage list where it belongs.

Cheers, Finn Hammer


Tesla list wrote:
>Original poster: "Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz" <acmq-at-compuland-dot-com.br>
>Tesla list wrote:
>  >
>  > Original poster: John <fireba8104-at-yahoo-dot-com>
>  >
>  > The dish was only electrified slightly when using paper.
>  >   I don't feel like looking though box after box for something higher in
>  > the triboelectric series like wool or silk at the moment.What was your
>  > conclusion?
>Regular alcaline glass. Excessively conductive for a static machine.
>But the shape of the plate was not good too for this use.
>Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz
>