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Re: SPARK GAP QUESTION
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 11:18:56 -0500
From: "DR.RESONANCE" <DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: SPARK GAP QUESTION
To: Bert
The potential difference may not rise much more with the better gap system
but the peak current will rise considerably when the optimum quench is
achieved. The difference is difficult to visually see in smaller systems
but becomes noticeable in larger systems.
DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net
----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: SPARK GAP QUESTION
> Date: Monday,October 06,1997 11:02 PM
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Mon, 06 Oct 1997 11:10:39 -0700
> From: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com>
> To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Subject: Re: SPARK GAP QUESTION
>
> Tesla List wrote:
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > Date: Sun, 05 Oct 1997 19:34:40 -0400
> > From: Richard Staron <rstaron-at-widow.aracnet-dot-net>
> > To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> > Subject: SPARK GAP QUESTION
> >
> > Hi there and thanks for taking time to read my post.
> >
> > I am using a 15KV-at-30ma neon transformer with a .005 ufd cap, an 18" x
> > 4 3/16" diam secondary and tapered primary -at- 18" diam 1/4 copper
tubing.
> > At present I am getting 28" sparks using a 2 gap spark gap contrived of
> > 3 3/4" ball bearings set to a total gap of .240"
> >
> > I have built an 8 gap spark gap using 9 pieces of 3/4" diam s 1" l
> > solid brass rod. Each gap was set to .030" and ends polished . Each
> > electrode was supported on ceramic standoffs and gaps were accurately
> > measured for parallelism and spacing.
> >
> > Question: I have tried both gaps, the 2 gap and the 8 gap with and
> > without air blowing over them and I see no difference in
> > spark length or spark strength. Can anyone make a comment
> > or give direction as to the possible reason for this?
> > I have kept everything the same except for changing the
> > different type of gap.
> > (I tried reducing the spacing of the multi-gap to .025" and
> > found that the spark length did reduce in length.
> >
> > Looking forward to any comments, ideas, theories or lies :)
> >
> > Richard
>
> Richard,
>
> The breakdown voltage for both gap systems will be approximately the
> same, although the 8 gap system will tend to have a more repeatable
> breakdown voltage. Assuming similar breakdown voltages, the initial
> "bang" energy stored in your tank cap will be similar , and your peak
> output voltage will tend to be similar.
>
> Normally, forcing air (or vacuum) through the gaps will help prevent
> reignition of the gaps once all the primary's energy has been
> transferred to the secondary - "quenching" the gap, and trapping the
> energy in the secondary. If you're seeing no difference between the
> different gaps with/without forced air, you could be running at a low
> enough power level combined with a relatively low coupling coefficient
> so that no additional effort is required to ideally quench your system.
>
> Try lowering your secondary a bit (a LITTLE bit at a time!) and re-run
> the experiment using your 8 gap system. You should reach a point where
> you'll see significantly improved performance when using forced air
> through the gaps. Do this in a darkenned room so you can closely watch
> for excessive secondary:primary corona or turn-turn flashovers. If you
> start getting flashovers across the secondary winding or from the
> secondary to the primary, you'll need to raise the secondary a bit. You
> want to run with the most coupling you can within the limits of your
> coil's insulation and gap quenching capabilities.
>
> Safe coilin' to you, Richard!
>
> -- Bert --
>