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Re: [TCML] "Modern" Spark Gap Designs?



Don't know much about TCs but have some experience with many different
types of rotating equipment. I have read a lot about rotating spark gaps
and guys using one horsepower and up motors. It seems to me that starting
time would be determined by the mass of the rotor but the power to run at
full speed would only be limited by windage. The windage would be the only
load. It would seem to me that one half horsepower would be plenty.
Are their other factors?
Teddy

On Jan 30, 2020 12:09 AM, "Steve White" <steve.white1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I think you will run into a problem if you try to bridge more than two
> gaps. I built my SRSG to allow for either 2 gaps or 4 gaps. I initially
> tried it with 4 gaps and no matter how closely I spaced the electrodes, I
> got inconsistent firing. This is with a 14.4 KV pole transformer. I then
> switched to 2 gaps and got completely consistent firing at 240 BPS. I have
> used 2 gaps ever since. My SRSG runs very nicely with a 1/2 HP AC induction
> motor modified to be synchronous. This is with a 12 inch diameter G10 rotor
> 1/2 inch thick running at 3600 RPM.
>
> Steve White
> Cedar Rapids, Iowa
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Kunkel" <dankunkel@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2020 6:25:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [TCML] "Modern" Spark Gap Designs?
>
> Tedd,
> A single static gap would not quench very well, at least without the aide
> of moving air, vacuum, magnets, etc. However, a MULTIPLE series gap does
> seem to perform quite well. Yes you loose a little power with each "hop",
> but in the end you gain due to faster quenching. Each break allows the
> power to be divided up and is easier to quench.
>
> A rotary gap is OK at quenching, but it only has two "hops" (as compared
> with a typical TCBOR or RQ style gap). Plus the speed of electricity is
> much faster than the mechanical dwell time of the electrodes in a rotary
> gap. So the rotational aspect of a rotary does not do anything for
> quenching. Plenty of folks have reported "following around" on a rotary gap
> due to lack of quenching (there are videos on youtube as well).
>
> ~Dan
> Kansas city area
>
> On Wed, Jan 29, 2020 at 5:32 PM Tedd Dillard <tedd.dillard@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > Why would a static gap quince better than a rotatary gap?
> >
> > On Jan 29, 2020 5:14 PM, "Gary Lau" <glau1024@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > > I have no experience with gaps for anything larger than an NST power
> > supply
> > > so can't comment on the series quench configuration.  But based on my
> > > experience, I suspect the use of PVC in proximity to the gaps is a less
> > > than ideal idea.  Even using a single NST, the white PVC turns an
> > > unsightly brown color due to the intense UV emitted by the gap.  I
> don't
> > > know how its insulating or mechanical strength might be affected, but
> > > better to use G10 if available.
> > >
> > > Regards, Gary Lau
> > > MA, USA
> > >
> > > On Wed, Jan 29, 2020 at 1:03 PM Daniel Kunkel <dankunkel@xxxxxxxxx>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hello Tesla List!
> > > > I am starting to work on my next spark gap for a 6-10 KVA magnifier.
> It
> > > > seems the definitive spark gap design is that from Richard Hull/TCBOR
> > > using
> > > > a rotary gap (to control timing only) combined with a multiple break
> > > series
> > > > gap (to control quench only). Is there a better approach for gap
> design
> > > and
> > > > construction?
> > > >
> > > > Currently my plan is to use a 3.5 HP DC motor to spin a G10 disk with
> > > > tungsten electrodes and combine it with the PVC + copper tubes + fan
> > > series
> > > > gap.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > ~Dan
> > > > Kansas City area
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