Re: newbie question - spark gap and toroid

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

Original poster: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com 

In a message dated 10/31/04 2:51:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:


>I've got my tesla coil to work but I've got a couple of quick questions for
>you pros out there: -
>
>1. My SG spark gap's made from aluminium curtain rail, not copper pipe. The
>rail is flat, so it's easier to mount. Does it matter? My coil works, but
>I'm not sure if aluminium hinders performance in any way.


Shu,

The rail may heat up quickly if it's very thin, and the aluminum
might not quench as well as copper, but I never tried it so I can't
say for sure how it might perform.  I think i remember someone
using a similar metal and it worked well for them.  An air flow will help 
for the
cooling.  Quenching has a lot to do with cooling.  The amount
of air that is needed depends on the gap design and the coil
power.  Some gaps with small coils don't need any air to quench
well.  You can try more air or less air and see which is better.
The thickness of your toroid is rather large.  I used to use a
5" x 20" corregated toroid on my 12/30 NST coil.  I also tried
a 6" x 26" corregated toroid, but the output was no better.
With a large toroid, you'll need a breakout point if the surface
is smooth for the low powered coil.

John Freau