Re: Rotary Spark Gap Design

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>


440 VAC won't be enough to operate your sparkgap.  You do need a NST is you
are running a classic HV circuit and not SSTC.  The lowest reliable
potential is 3 kV min.

Don't use a wooden disk.  Most wood contains some moisture (3-5%) and will
not hold off the high voltages -- especially RF voltages which like to track
across surfaces such as wood.  Or, worse, it might start smoldering
internally.  Then, you shut off the lights, go to bed, and wake up to
discover your shop or home on fire.  Use type CE or LE phenolic or G-10
phenolic plate for the rotor.

Be safe!!

Dr. Resonance

>
> Dear forum members,
>
> I'm planning to build a rotary spark gap:
> 8 spinning electrodes mounted on a wooden disc,
> 2 stationary electrodes,
> brass bolts used as electrodes.
>
> I have seen in some Tesla coil designs that the AC input voltage is
stepped
> up to few kilo volts
> (using NSTs/PolePigs), rectified and then fed to the tesla coil circuit
> that is using the spark gap.
> Can I run the tesla coil without stepping up the AC input voltage ? I'm
> planning to use
> 440VAC input, rectify it and then feed this DC voltage to the tesla coil
> circuit which uses a
> rotary spark gap. Any advice ?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Rajesh.
>
>
>