RE: [TCML] primary tubing

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

The higher resistance is the biggest reason.  After that, aluminum can't easily be spliced or terminated with a solder connection with solder the way copper can, but that's not a deal breaker.  

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Neal Namowicz
> Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 9:11 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [TCML] primary tubing
> 
> Thanks, Gary, for your input. As is often (usually) the case with most
> situations presented on the list, there is usually more than one way to
> accomplish something. I suppose the proof, as they say, is in the pudding.
> In this case, I think "pudding" :) the aluminum primary to use on an
> existing coil with known results will prove it out, one way or another. If I
> understand correctly, I should use a diameter larger than the 1/4" copper
> I'm currently using. We shall see,
> 
> Neal.
> 
> Ps. What would your other reasons for not using aluminum be, if not the
> resistance/frequency issues?
> 
> 
> 
> DC,
> 
> I have refuted this oft-repeated but mistaken belief of yours that aluminum
> exhibits some frequency-dependant resistance, several times in the past and
> I will continue to do so.  It does not, to any significant degree.  I have
> made frequency-sweep measurements of the AC resistance for many different
> conductor geometries, including Al vs. Cu.  Of course the aluminum has a
> higher resistance than copper, but this is due to the intrinsic resistively
> difference between them and is NOT frequency dependant for the frequencies
> that we are interested in.  If the aluminum conductor diameter is scaled up
> to compensate for the higher resistively, it's a wash.
> 
> There are many good reasons to choose copper conductors over aluminum and I
> wouldn't use anything but copper myself, but frequency-dependant resistance
> is not one of them.  Please either supply quantitative evidence of your
> claim, or stop propagating this myth.
> 
> To Neal's question - Primary resistance is a very bad thing for Tesla coils.
> Every (reasonable) effort should be made to minimize tank circuit
> resistance, if you're going for maximum performance (and not everyone is).
> 
> Regards, Gary Lau
> MA, USA
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> > Behalf Of DC Cox
> > Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 5:54 PM
> > To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [TCML] primary tubing
> >
> > At RF frequencies aluminum is a poor conductor as compared to copper.  Use
> > copper for HF applications.  Alum will limit your peak RF current,
> > something
> > you don't want to do.  Peak RF current determines peak magnetic field
> > which
> > of course links all your power into the sec inductor.
> >
> > Dr. Resonance
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla