Re: Power versus Spark Length

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Power versus Spark Length
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 11:59:32 -0500
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

From: 	Greg Leyh[SMTP:lod-at-pacbell-dot-net]
Sent: 	Thursday, July 24, 1997 1:04 AM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: Power versus Spark Length

Richard Hull wrote:

> But as all relatively simple equations where all is conserved,  the term
> "coil efficiency" is virtually unknowable or is at the very least incredibly
> illusive to the traditionally under instrumented amateurs.  
> [snip]
> The real difference is that at a given efficiency for two identically
> equated but differently constructed systems the energy in the system with
> smallish violet sparks is spread from low level waste heat to near x-rays,
> while the white hot performer will confine itself to a more narrow range of
> radiation mostly concentrated in the "pretty" part of the spectrum. (like
> your system)
> 
> Richard Hull, TCBOR

Thanks -- I agree that 'arc sculpting' is as much of an art as it is science.

The folly of trying to define a Figure of Merit for TC's is rapidly becoming
apparent to me -- every coil designer will have their own measuremt standards,
and achieving any consensus would be like trying to herd cats in a thunderstorm.

At this point I would like to back away from my previous Figure of Merit and
suggest the following:

GOODNESS = (Total Fun Integral) / (Breaker Rating of Wall Socket)

The fun integral could be measured, for instance, by integrating the output
of an applause meter over a 10 second averaging period.

-GL