Re: [TCML] Odd VTTC Streamer Behavior

[futuret@xxxxxxx]

Seems it's not a tube problem.  If the cap is failing, it can
change the tuning, which can effect the forking.
But the forking effect could
be something else.  I had a lot of trouble with spark
splitting on my small 4-250A coil which gave 20" sparks,
and on my (2) 833A coil which gave 24" sparks.  I found
it to be sensitive to the type of power supply even.
For example if I used a 4450 volt plate transformer,
then the splitting occured.  But if I used an MOT with
level shift, and the correct number of level shift caps,
then the splitting didn't occur.  But it split occasionally
anyway.  It can be difficult to get longer and longer
sparks and continue to avoid the splitting.  It may
help to lower the breakout point on top of the toroid
or something like that.  The toroid affects the electrostatic
conditions in that area and may help to funnel the spark
straight up.  I think the splitting has a lot to do with
how the spark originates at the breakout point as
it begins to grow at each burst.  If it splits early
as it's forming, then it will stay split.  The trick is
to get the spark to form without splitting.  This
makes it sensitive to tuning and various adjustments also.
Did you try varying the main tank tuning some?

It may even be beneficial to use an MOT which
saturates, because the waveform distortion which
results can help to stop the splitting perhaps.
In any case, varying the number of level shift
caps may help.

John


-----Original Message-----
From: Phillip Slawinski <pslawinski@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 7:15 pm
Subject: Re: [TCML] Odd VTTC Streamer Behavior



I just tried the 833A I have laying around.  It was the same situation 
as
with the Penta 833C.  I also examined the inside of the C and everything
looked perfect.

Would the cap really cause the streamers to fork like that, and not 
gain any
length?
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla

_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla