[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Safety gap taking over



Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com> 


Your Terry filter should definitely be in a separate box with the power
xmfr.  Mounting it directly under the primary is asking for trouble.  Need
to remember the primary coil has a symmetrical magnetic field, both up and
down, so if it couples upwards into your sec coil it will also couple
downwards through any plastic or wood with absorption --- except your filter
wires, etc.

Dr. Resonance

Resonance Research Corporation
E11870 Shadylane Rd.
Baraboo   WI   53913
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 11:48 AM
Subject: Safety gap taking over


 > Original poster: "Jeremy Gassmann" <gmann-at-fuse-dot-net>
 >
 > Hi everyone!  Last night I had my first light after my first failure.
 > During the failure, my homemade parallel plate cap internally arced over
 > so I decided to go the Geek group MMC route.  I will give a quick
 > rundown of my specs:
 >
 > PS: 4 - 15 kV 30 mA NST's wired in parallel
 > Cp: 32 nF Geek group MMC
 > Terry filter with safety gap set to just NOT fire (safety gap is just 3
 > brass balls about .5" in diameter)
 > 8 segment static spark gap using 1" copper pipe couplers set to just
 > fire
 > Secondary:  980 turns of #23 on a 4.25" diameter PVC form (which I think
 > is too small given my input power)
 > Topload: 4.25" x 23" toroid made from black drain pipe covered in Al
 > foil tape
 >
 > Here is my problem:
 > While running the coil, as I turn up the input power the spark gap
 > begins to fire and as I turn up the voltage more, the safety gap does
 > the job of the spark gap.  Keep in mind that I set the spark gap to just
 > fire and the safety gap to just NOT fire.  When I set the spark gap to
 > just fire, the safety gap was hooked up as well.  Does that change the
 > breakdown properties of the spark gap?  I would think that it wouldn't,
 > but I am not sure.  I even bridged a few of the gaps in the spark gap to
 > reduce the firing voltage but the safety gap sometimes will take over.
 > I also have my Terry filter safety gap mounted upside down on the
 > underside of the primary shelf.  I don't know if this would affect
 > anything or not, but with no load at all, the safety gap acts like a
 > Jacobs ladder.  Also interesting to note is that when the safety gap
 > takes over the output still seems really decent...about 4' streamers
 > once the surrounding air is sufficiently hot.  I also use a leaf blower
 > to quench the spark gap that seemed to make the safety gap take over
 > even faster.  Is there too much air flow here?  Sorry for the long post,
 > but this has me a little confused.  Is the safety gap subject to a sort
 > of avalanche effect where it fires ones, gets hot then keeps getting
 > hotter and firing more often until it takes over?  Thanks to all in
 > advance for your help!  I know it has been stated a lot, but without
 > this list, there would be significantly fewer successful amateur coilers
 > out there!
 >
 > Jeremy Gassmann
 > Cincinnati, Oh
 > http://jeremyee.tripod-dot-com
 >
 >
 >