Re: [TCML] Need Help Troubleshooting My First TC

[Sfxneon@xxxxxxx]

Hi Gary,
 
20 mA, as well as 15 mA and 90 mA are all valid current values for  50/60 
Hz neon transformers, or at least they used to be. The vast majority  today 
are 30 and 60 ma, but 15 and 20 mA was/is used for indoor or low  brightness 
applications. Larger diameter (20-25mm) cold cathode lighting is  usually 
run at 90 or 120 mA.
 
But umm Hairball's could be a 20 mA solid state (high frequency) tranny,  
which would explain why it stops working when connected to the coil and cap. 
The  roll-your-own cap could also be shorted or be breaking down when power 
is  applied.
 
Tony Greer
__________________________

In a message dated 3/28/2010 9:14:51 P.M.  Central Daylight Time, 
Gary.Lau@xxxxxx writes:
Hi, umm,  Hairball...

Your 15/20 NST sounds like an odd current rating.   Typically 15kV "core 
and coil" units come in 30 & 60 ma ratings.  Are  you certain that yours isn't 
a solid-state (i.e. 20KHz inverter) unit?  I'm  afraid that such high 
frequency units cannot be used in Tesla coils.  A 50  or 60 Hz HV output is 
required.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

>  -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx  [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Wm A Tickhill
>  Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 3:16 PM
> To: Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
>  Subject: [TCML] Need Help Troubleshooting My First TC
> 
> I Am A  Dedicated Gadgeteer With Several Projects Under My Belt ( 
Tebuchet -
>  Babington Burner - Sundry Gadgets ) Yet I Am New To The High
> Voltage  Hobby/Obsession. After Building A Jacobs Ladder, And A Plasma 
Globe,
> I  Began My First Classic TC.
> 
> The Basic Specs
> 
>  15/20 NST  With Safety Gap
> 
> .375 Copper Electrode  Adjustable Spark G
> 
> .005uF Wound Poly/Foil In 4" PVC Tank  Cap
> 
> Primary Coil  12.5 Turns Of .25" Tubing With .5"  Spacing Between
> 
> Secondary Coil  3.5" Diameter 18" Height  With #26
> 
> Top Load  5" X 12" Toroid ( dryer duct/foil tape  )
> 
> 
> MY PROBLEM >  When I Power My NST And Spark  Gap Alone, It Works Well -
> Draws
> An Arc .005" To .5"   HOWEVER When I Connect It To The Primary Coil/ Tank 
Cap
> The Spark Gap  WILL NOT FIRE. Out Of Desperation I Swapped Out The NST For
> An
>  OBIT I Had, I Got The Same Result. Out Of Greater Desperation I Swapped  
Out
> The Tank Cap With A Grossly Underrated HID Lighting Cap, Still The  Same
> Result. No Matter What I Do, If I Connect The Primary Coil/ Tank  Cap, The
> Spark Gap Will Not Fire.
> 
> Any Direction,  Suggestions, Information, Or Constructive Criticism Would 
Be
> Greatly  Appreciated.
> 
> THANKS, HAIRBALL
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