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Re: Help!

Subject:  Re: Help!
   Date:  Sun, 18 May 1997 15:05:17 -0400
   From:  Tom Heiber <theiber-at-lonet.ca>
     To:  Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
       CC: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
References: 1


Tesla List wrote:

> Subject:  Re: Help!
>   Date:  Sun, 18 May 1997 17:07:37 +1000 (EST)
>   From:  Rodney Davies <rgd872-at-anu.edu.au>
>     To:  Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
>
> Hi Tom,
>
> On Sat, 17 May 1997, Tesla List wrote:
>
> > Hi There. My name is Tom and I am new to "coiling" :)
>
> Welcome! :-)
>
> > I am using a regular Auto Ignition Coil (which honestly i have no
> idea
> > on what output it gives away) to produce a 1/2 inch spark (without
> > caps). But as soon as i connect the Cap (Cera-mite 40KVDC, 3 in
> > parallel, 570pf each) the spark dies out completely. No matter what
> I
> > try I can't get it to work. I do not know whether it's the Cap or
> the
> > AIC or something else. Like I said, I am quite new to this so I'd
> > appreciate any help.
>
> Sounds like your capacitor value is too high, maybe you might want to
> drop
> it down to the nF region...
>
> > BTW the secondary coil (Tesla) is about 1000feet wound on a 2" ABS
> pipe
> > (couldn't find PVC), coated with 3 layers of clear coat varnish. The
>
> > Primary is 12 turns of normal household grounding wire. The driver
> for
> > the AIC has a variable power and frequency controls. As I have
> measured
> > the frequency to the Auto Ignition Coil is somewhere between 100 -
> 2000
> > hz.
>
> That could also be related to the caps. The Caps perhaps can't respond
>
> at
> that frequency and aren't charging properly before the next phase-peak
>
> (or
> trough)... You may want to try low-frequencies...
>
> How tall is your secondary coil? 1000 feet on a 2" form seems to me
> like
> a
> very high-Q coil. If you're using a 2" form, you may want to have the
> length no more than 1:5 1:6 ratio, hence a length of 10-12". Anything
> higher raises the Q value, hence need more power to drive it...
>
> Hope this helps a little...
>
> Catchya!
>
> Rod


The coil 25.5" tall.

What is the "Q" value?

I was informed that the capacitor should be in the 0.002 uF - 0.2 uF
region.

So, in overall what do you suggest I should do? Do you think the AIC
produces more than 40KV (more than rated capacitor)?

I am very anxious to get this coil working. I know it might sound silly
but I have put in more than $160 into it. This may not sound much, but
as for me as a novice coiler it's quite a bit. I wouldn't like to see it
go to waste.

Tom Heiber