Re: Power output loss

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "C. Sibley" <a37chevy@xxxxxxxxx>

Dennis,

Have you by any chance taken a primary strike?  I'm
using the same .03mF Maxwell and it began to slowly
degrade after a primary strike.  The coil was still in
resonance but just didn't have the power that it did
before.  Replacing the capacitor solved it for me...

Curt.


--- Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Original poster: otmaskin5@xxxxxxx
>
> I could use some advice.  Recently, I'getting a
> significant drop in
> output as I dial up the variac.  I start getting
> sparks at the 80v
> setting, as usual.  But then, as I increase the
> variac voltage, the
> coil doesn't increase spark output proportionately
> as it used
> to.  Might even decrease at higher variac settings
> ~120-130v.
>
> I'm running a 15/60 powered RQ type static gap coil
> with a 0.03uF
> Maxwell pulse capacitor.
> The RQ is set at 6 gaps X 0.03" each for a total gap
> spacing of 0.18"
> which seems conservative.
>
> Went back & verified all connections are tight & no
> wires near each
> other or near anything.  Couldn't find any signs of
> arcing or
> shorts.  NST checks out OK - both legs.
>
> The only thing I could find was some scorching on
> the safety gap -
> both the left & right terminals & grounded teminal.
> I've never
> observed the safety gap firing, but it's location
> makes it a little
> hard to see. Plus it's near the spark gap which I
> try to avoid
> looking at.  (I've thought of putting colored
> glass/plastic over the
> safety gap to make firing more noticeable without
> looking directly at
> the lower deck).
>
> Anyway, I set the safety gap to the first adjustment
> point where they
> wouldn't fire with just the NST connected.
>
> Maybe corona causing premature firing?  I'm kind of
> stumped.  Any
> ideas would be appreciated.  Thx
>
> Dennis Hopkinton, MA
>
>
>


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