Re: RSG Question

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <tesla123-at-pacbell-dot-net>

Hi Daivid, 

Tesla list wrote: 
>
> Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
> <Tesla729-at-cs-dot-com> 
>
> Hi All, 
>
> I have a question regarding my ARSG for my big coil. I notice while 
> watching the rotory electrodes appear nearly stationary, due to the 
> strobing effect of the SG, that they appear to slightly change position 
> gradually as I turn up the power. In other words, if the motor is turning 
> CW and the rotory electrodes appear stationary at a constant input, 
>  when I turn up or down the voltage, I notice that the rotory electrodes 
>  appear to slightly move CCW when I raise the voltage, and back 
> CW when I reduce the voltage. The apparent movement of them is only 
> maybe 2 or 3 degrees of angle from min firing voltage to max voltage. 
> Comments? I hope that I explained this where it could be understood. 
>
> Keeping 'em Sparking in Memphis, 
> David Rieben

I've noticed this in the past as well. As the voltage is increased, the arc
distance of the electrodes is increased. In effect, as the rotating electrode
comes near the stationary, the gap arcs "earlier" at an increased arc distance.
As you decrease the voltage, the gap arcs "later" at a descreased arc distance.
Also, the RSG conducts before electrode parallel alignment. The only case where
this might not occur is if the electrode spacing was large and just happened to
be set at the caps arc distance. But this is unnecessary with a RSG. Since the
arc conducts before alignment, the electrode spacing can be narrow to ensure
gap conduction at each break. 

Take care, 
Bart