Re: spot welder capacitors

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: spot welder capacitors
From: "Robert W. Stephens" <rwstephens-at-headwaters-dot-com>
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 16:58:06 -0500
Subscriber: rwstephens-at-headwaters-dot-com Wed Jan 8 22:49:27 1997

> Date:          Tue, 7 Jan 1997 22:25:18 -0700
> From:          Tesla List <tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
> To:            Tesla-list-subscribers-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
> Subject:       Re: spot welder capacitors
> Reply-to:      tesla-at-pupman-dot-com

> Subscriber: gchristo-at-clt.mindspring-dot-com Tue Jan  7 21:55:36 1997
> Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 08:41:26 +0000
> From: Chris Gardner <gchristo-at-clt.mindspring-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: spot welder capacitors
> 
> I am still in the process of planning my first low power dc ignition
> coil drivin TC, however I have in mt possesion on old spot welder I
> pulled some neeto stuff out of, primarily a rack of capacitors - 
> 
> it's well made with 32 caps in par. in an 8 x 4 configuration with
> heavy copper straps making all connections. There is no manufacturers
> label, but each is labeled 245mfd  400vdc. The units are aluminum can
> type, in good shape, with a small rubber nipple in the top of each for
> preasure relief in the event of failure I believe. 
> 
> Since this was an industrial unit I feel like these things would
> probably stand up to some abuse....  my question is should I hold on to
> this for future use? The voltage rating seems low, but I dont know how
> flexible that rating is. Any thoughts would be appreciated
> 
Chris,

I cannot think of a Tesla coil aplication for these caps, the 
voltage is just too low, and the values too high.  Might be 
interesting to use 'em to make an experimental rail gun though.

rwstephens