Re: Holes in the secondary

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Gerry  Reynolds" <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Tim,

You're going to get a wide spread of opinions on this and a lot depends on 
how hard you push you secondary.  I have two holes in my acrylic form (8x36 
winding).  At the bottom, I did just what you are suggesting and used a 
nylon screw to terminate the wiring.  At the top, I ran the wire into the 
center and up to a termination bolt.  I put an 1/2 inch acrylic bulkhead 
about four inches below the top turn to keep arcs from going down the tube 
on the end cap.  I only used one bulkhead so as to not trap outgassing.  I 
also made sure the wire inside the form did not droop below the top turn 
trying to keep the wire out of high field stress areas.  Lastly, I had a 
corona ring two inches above the top turn so the internal routing should be 
surrounded by equal potential fields.  Anyway, I have achieved 74 inch 
power arc with no problems with the secondary yet.

Gerry R.

> Original poster: trwalters001@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Hi All,
>
> I've read quite a bit about making secondaries. In just about all of the 
> instructions, it says NOT to drill holes in the secondary coil form. I 
> understand that holes would give a place to arc into (or out of). BUT - if 
> the hole were tapped and a nylon screw were put there, would the hole 
> still be a problem (since there wouldn't be a hole any more)??
>
> TIA,
>
> Tim