Original poster: "Gerry Reynolds" <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Hi Russ,If I'm interpreting what you are saying correctly, your total gap is 0.6 inches (0.1 inch per gap?). This will be way too wide for your system and allow the voltage to resonate up to a very high level. Set the gap size so it just barely fires with the capacitor removed (NST driving just the spark gap with maximum intended input voltage to the NST in case you are using a variac). If you have a safety gap, set it so it just barely does not fire with the same no load conditions. These adjustments will insure the voltage doesnt get too high. These adjustments also need to be done even with a LTR value cap as transients can also cause high voltage. You can make your current sized cap work OK with a proper gap setting but going to the larger cap size (per Terry's recommendation will improve performance).
Gerry R
At 03:34 PM 11/13/2006, you wrote:thanks for the help so farit is a 30 ma 9000v nst. I currently have a static gap with seven pieces of 3/4 copper pipe they are set about .1 inches apart. what would be a good total gap length for me? i also just got in 20 20kv 1000pf ceramic disc capacitors. could these be be used for my coil. i am trying to use the tesla coil designer javascript program it seems to be a really good tool.thanks again Russ