Hi John,I think a rotary or triggered gap may or "may not" outperform a static gap if all at 120 bps and because one can't assume all static gaps are the same (if they do, their naive). Maximum spark output as a comparative value can be good or bad depending on many variables. But given the data at the time of measurement, usually a single conclusion would be made (what you see is what you get).
I agree that more of "us" should join in and do the comparisons that you have done (as you know, you are in high regard with me in this respect). But even though that is true, I still have doubts on conclusions on some things (not to be disagreeable, but simply attempting to understand the conclusions with the tests at hand). I guess it comes down to the more I learn, the more I don't take everything at face value and give a little more attention to statements or conclusions.
I'm uncertain on many past gap experiments of comparison. I think all test are certainly worthwhile and tell us something, but I'm not sure we have actually determined well what it is the tests have shown us. More work is certainly needed in this area as you have stated in just about every post on the subject. I think your exactly right about that.
Best Regards, Bart FutureT@xxxxxxx wrote:
Bart,I think that in probably all cases an NST powered LTR coil under 2 or 3kW will give longer sparks using a 120 bps rotary or a 120 bps triggered gap thanusing a static gap. If the coil has a smaller (STR) cap, then it may do just as well using the static gap as with a rotary, because it's no longer necessary to fire at the peak voltage for best results. Also such a coil may need an ASRG to find the sweet spot. In coils that have non-shunted transformers the picture becomes more complex because the degree of ballasting effects the input power, etc, and can enable the coil to perform at various break-rates, etc. Regarding how the gap is being evaluated, I'm looking simply at max spark output. If the gap heats up after awhile and the sparks shrink,then it's obvious more cooling is needed, or a re-design, etc. Certainly a high powered coil will need a more robust sparkgap, etc. Many of these things are just common sense issues. I consider the comparisons to be valid as long as the sorts of things I mention are considered. It would begood to see more folks doing such comparisons however. John
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