RE: spark gap

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>

Hi Justin:

No, I should not have assumed the worst on your part - my bad.  Many
beginners (OK, me too many years ago) don't appreciate that opening a
gap too far can cause voltages in excess of the open circuit NST
voltage.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> Original poster: Just Justin <rocketfuel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>
> Sorry, you're right.  I forgot to mention that the spark gap should be
> the only thing connected to the NST when using this method!
>
> That is what I meant by it being a similar process to setting the
safety gap.
>
>
> Maybe I should go back to asking instead of answering...
>
>
> Justin
>
>
>
>  > Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>
>  >
>  > Ouch!  The suggested method of setting the spark gap width is a
>  > sure-fire way to kill an NST.  Yes, the performance will be very
good -
>  > the wider the gap, the better.  But the voltage may far exceed what
the
>  > NST and cap can withstand.
>  >
>  > The correct way to set the gap width is to disconnect the primary
tap,
>  > so that the gap is across the NST output and the cap/primary are
>  > effectively out of the circuit.  The gap width must be set so that
it
>  > just begins to fire with maximum Variac AC in to the NST.
>  >
>  > With a 12/120 power supply, attention to airflow through the gap is
>  > vital.  With that much power, more than a gentle wafting through
the gap
>  > is needed to keep it cool.
>  >
>  > Regards, Gary Lau
>  > MA, USA
>  >
>  >
>  >  > Original poster: Just Justin <rocketfuel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>  >  >
>  >  >
>  >  > Hi Tim,
>  >  >
>  >  msnip...