Another first coil story

To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
Subject: Another first coil story
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 22:18:01 -0500
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

Subject:  Another first coil story
  Date:   Wed, 4 Jun 1997 22:02:55, -0500
  From:   RSNV02D-at-prodigy-dot-com ( MATT MCARTHUR)
    To:   tesla-at-pupman-dot-com

Hello All,

I have been silently watching this list for a month or so now and I
just completed my first coil.  I am having a few problems with it 
though.  The main thing is that I am only getting a weak little 
6" (thats inch) spark, if that.  As far as I can tell I have achieved 
resonance,
I think, since I only get the 6" spark when the primary is in the 
perfect spot (tuned).
  The setup I have is a 10KV 23mA OBIT tranny, 5  1.2nF salt water
beer bottle caps ( I built a plate glass cap but roasted it due to 
poor 
design) 2 series gaps with .020 inches gap each.  My primary is made 

out of 1/4 inch copper tubing, 7" diameter, 5" tall. The secondary is 

3 1/2" PVC pipe, approx 12 1/4" long with about 500 windings of .025" 

enameled wire. The output terminal is pretty cheap, it is a 60 watt 
deco 
light bulb (5" in diameter) covered with aluminum foil.
  The best guess I have to the wimpy sparks is bad coupling. The 
secondary sits about one inch from the BOTTOM of the primary.  I had 

just read a post that said something about the secondary for lower 
powered 
coils being 1 1/2" ABOVE the primary to enhance the coupling.

  Could somebody please put me back on track!?!?!?

   Thanks,

         --Matt