Malcolm in KC,
I would suggest using plastic for your primary supports. Wood will
allow high voltage creeping and eventually shorts. Unless you dry
it very well first and coat it with a few coats of varnish, shellac,
etc. I have heard of folks cooking (?) wood in a bath of liquid wax
for a permanent water proofing. I just use plastic. Also, I would
definitely not try to thread the primary tubing through holes
drilled in the supports. It is very difficult. I use notches and
have a small hole drilled under each notch then use plastic wire
ties to hold the tubing in place. I usually use 3/8" spacing
between adjacent windings. This is enough space and still allows
room for the clip on your tap lead.
Ed Sonderman
In a message dated 12/13/2005 8:00:04 PM Pacific Standard Time,
tesla@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
I have beginner written all over me :) I guess I didn't realize I could
work out how many primary turns I would need exactly. After just reading
Terry's post with all the math I see it's very possible. I thought though
as long as I wind to many I could always tap in lower down and be OK. It
seems from Terry's math though I've got to little turns. I will try and add
some more tubing tomorrow. OR maybe I should remake the purches and wind
the same copper with 1/2" spaces instead of 3/4" spaces and get more turns.
I don't know how much more I'll get though. If I do end up doing it over
I'm going to use 1 x 2" wood on edge with holes drilled though instead of
the notch method I tried. It will be much more secure, easier to wind, and
probably look nicer too.