RE: CFM and RQ Gaps

["John H. Couture" <couturejh-at-worldnet.att-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

Paul, Ted -

You may be interested in the Tesla coil Air Blast Spark Gap shown in my
Tesla Coil Design Manual. This device proved to be very effective and easy
to build. It used a centrifugal type fan rated 100 CFM that came from a
surplus store for $10. The air blast of 2200 FPM could be adjusted by
varying the speed of the motor and the air blast was thru the air gaps.

John H. Couture

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-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla List [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2000 11:04 AM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: CFM and RQ Gaps


Original Poster: "Paul Mathus" <pmathus-at-learningco-dot-com>

     I use a 120 cfm muffin fan on my RQ/TCBOR gap, as it was the biggest
     AC one i could find at the time.  The location of the airflow should
     be a function of what you are trying to achieve.  If you blow through
     the tubes, all you're getting is cooling.  If you blow through the
     gaps, you're getting quenching as well.  I think you will be
     hardpressed to put too much air through this type of gap unless you
     use some sort of leafblower/compressor system.

     paul


______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
Subject: CFM and RQ Gaps
Author:  Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> at INTERNET
Date:    6/5/00 8:11 AM


Original Poster: "Ted Rosenberg" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com>


Hello all:

I do not believe the subject of Cubic Feet per Minute figures for those who
build coils using a static gap has been mentioned.

My coil, well into construction, will use a 15KV/60 NST.
My gap, just finished yesterday, uses 9, 1-3/4 copper sweat couplers in a
"Scot
D-Jochin" zig-zag arrangement. BTW, once this works, I have some neat
shortcuts
for building such a gap.

But, I obviously need to blow some air on this zig-zag and the question is
how
much air?
Many discuss the electronics of the coil in detailed numbers. But I cannot
recall anyone throwing a CFM figure around.

I can install anything from a vac motor to a couple of small 12VDC or 110VAC
fans.
But the CFM ratings available are all over the place. You can buy 20CFM to
almost 200CFM.
Where do you start?
Unlike some who might have some fans in an old junk box, I plan to buy them.

And while on this subject, is it absolutely required that the airflow NOT
just
go down the length of the tubes but rather across and out slots cut in the
support slabs?

Comments are very welcomed.
With thanks to all to let me get this far!

Ted R