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Re: Glassless Saltwater Caps



Tesla List wrote:

> Original Poster: Hollmike-at-aol-dot-com
>
> In a message dated 2/3/99 3:28:45 PM Mountain Standard Time,
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> writes:
>
> >   Teflon bottles. No laughing matter. Report your results post-haste
> >  Dave Hartwick
> >
> Dave,
>    Since you are interested, I will try to do it this weekend.
> Mike

Mike,
  Where in world did you obtain Teflon bottles?

   There's something that baffles me. It seems that glass is commonly used in
salt capacitors. I do not understand this in light of the fact that almost
plastic container makes a distinctly better capacitor. I used laundry
detergent
bottles, deli containers, even milk jugs work. Some containers have better
wall
consistency than others. Breakdown can occur at molding injection seams and
points. Still, if these weaknesses are properly addressed (build very
conservatively), fine caps can be made that are uniformly superior to those
based
on glass. Weak, wispy, thin sparks are replaced with ones that are whiter,
thicker, and generally more vigorous.
   I understand that the classic beer bottle cap is easily fabricated and
convenient for the novice builder producing his first, low power coil. But
plastic makes a substantial difference even on the most modest TC.
   True, glass gives much more capacitance, but at least for small coils, the
larger plastic salt caps are simply not a problem.

   Well, I've not read the entire Tesla list archives. I have a feeling
that this
has been addressed many times before. But to any beginner I encourage them
to try
plastic instead of glass in your caps.

Dave Hartwick.