Re: [TCML] Re: Dummy load for optimum cap size Experimentation

[Gary Lau <glau1024@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Binny,

I don't think the electrode fouling is a significant problem in this
experiment.  I suspect the time span for the output to significantly
diminish due to fouling is much longer than my experimental run times.  The
nice thing about the sucker gap is that the electrodes are really easy to
clean.  I'm not sure exactly what the failure mode of the electrode was, but
I don't think it was carbonization, as there's no carbon anywhere near the
electrodes.  Just pitting, I suspect, and that's likely to happen in any
kind of gas.  Now if you were able to fabricate a _tungsten_ sucker gap
electrode, that would be sweet!

Jon, concerning your report of apparent power diminishing after 30 seconds
of operation, can you describe the gap some more?  A single pair of pipes,
or multiple pipes?  With significant forced airflow through the gaps?  What
power level?  If it's really high powered and not a lot of airflow,
electrode heating could explain it.  My sucker gap electrodes are stone
cold.

I've uploaded a couple more photos at http://drop.io/garylau showing the
experimental setup and gap electrode closeup.  If you hit DOWNLOAD after you
click on the thumbnails, you can zoom way in.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA


On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 5:57 AM, Binny <binny@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi Gary,I have been following this thread and really appreciate all of your
> work and willingness to share with the group. My addage/question to you and
> the group is that it seems to me that the carbonization of the spark gap is
> the culprit in your erratic readings and diminished power observations. What
> if the gap were enclosed in an argon atmosphere.As a metal fabricator I have
> acess to the gas and regulator to make such a set up possible.Has anyone on
> the list tried such a thing?  I would be interested in the results.Also I
> would think one could make an outanditng looking spark with some plexi or
> acrylic windows in it and expirement with many of the inert gasess to
> produce different colors and depending on the build expirement with
> pressures for an even greater color selection.Just curious as to what others
> might think of the idea. Thanks again guys and ladys for all of your hard
> work and imput into the ever changing world of coling.     Binny
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jon Danniken" <danniken@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 6:16 PM
>
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Re: Dummy load for optimum cap size Experimentation
>
>
>  Gary Lau wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> I found that sanding the sucker gap contacts made a HUGE difference
>>> in light output, so I'll have to sand them briefly for each data
>>> point (yes I'm careful not to disturb the gap width).
>>>
>>> It looks like I'm going to have to live with the fact that static gap
>>> systems cannot deliver a stable and repeatable amount of power, and
>>> hope that the differences in power throughput with different cap
>>> values will be significantly greater than averaged gap power
>>> fluctuations.  Stay tuned for more.
>>>
>>
>> I used to sand the pipe sections on my parallel gap after each use; I
>> could actually see a decrease in power over the course of a 30 second run.
>>
>> Jon
>>
>
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla