Re: bought caps

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: bought caps
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 23:04:06 -0600
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

From: 	Malcolm Watts[SMTP:MALCOLM-at-directorate.wnp.ac.nz]
Sent: 	Friday, November 14, 1997 7:28 PM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: bought caps

Hi Ed,

> From:   Esondrmn-at-aol-dot-com [SMTP:Esondrmn-at-aol-dot-com]
> Sent:   Wednesday, November 12, 1997 12:44 PM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject:    Re: bought caps
> 
> In a message dated 97-11-12 10:04:05 EST, you write:
> 
> << 
>  I have used them (foolishly perhaps) beyond their peak ratings in a 
>  disruptive coil. In fact, on occasions they suffered 50% over the 
>  peak rating although not at high rep rates. They are still going 
>  strong. In the end, I set the safety gap to about 15% over peak. 
>  Their robustness and discharge quality was impressive.
>  
>  FWIW,
>  Malcolm
>   >>
> 
> Malcolm,
> 
> How did you determine where 50% over the peak rating was in terms of the
> spark gap setting?

The DC supply I fed the coil with is metered. By dropping power so 
that I got 1 bang/sec, I was able to set it to exactly that voltage.
That gap BTW was across the main gap which was adjustable while the 
coil was running. This was just a dinky model - not a med/high power 
job.

>  I have a spark gap across my C.P. cap made of #10 solid
> copper wire with loops bent on each end that are 1.0" diameter, no sharp
> edges.  The cap from Condenser Products is rated for 20 kv AC, Tesla coil
> use.  I currently have the gap set at 5/8" and have not destroyed the cap.
>  How wide do you think I can safely open up this gap?  Of course, the wider
> this gap is, the better the coil performs. 

That's the problem of course - until it goes bang. I wouldn't like to 
advise on a wider setting. It ain't my cap.

> I adjust primary power and rotary
> gap speed so that the safety gap just quits firing.  I have quite a bit of
> room to input more power - but sure don't want to kill another cap.  I think
> overvoltage is probably what killed the first two.
> 
> Ed Sonderman

Might it not also have been break rate? They specified 120PPS max on 
mine. I have used them at twice that but well within the voltage 
rating.

Cheers,
Malcolm