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Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 17:04:50 +0100
From: "chris.swinson" <chris.swinson-at-zetnet.co.uk>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
Hi,
I'm new to it all so don't yell if you thinks its a bit odd. But I
generally say 20Kv will go 1 inch. My Tesla coil was calculated to 200Kv
for 10" spark so really I think you carnt go far wrong with that.
Chris.swinson-at-zetnet.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Date: 03 August 1998 06:27
Subject: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
>
>
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Sun, 02 Aug 1998 20:23:33 -0400
>From: Richard Staron <rstaron-at-aracnet-dot-net>
>To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
>Subject: Measuring Spark Distances
>
>Now here is an interesting point of discussion that I would like to
>discuss with the group,
>unless it has been discussed before and is resident in the archives. I
>guess what I would
>like to see is a common method of measuring spark length that is simple,
>easy to
>duplicate by all with out using any high tech equipment.
>
>Question: How does one measure the length of a spark generated from a
>Tesla coil regardless
>of the way the spark is generated?
>
>The answer seems quite simple until you start looking at all the
>variables that could affect spark length.
>
>I guess I should explain how I measure spark length from my coil first.
>
>1. I place a thumb tack on the outer most diameter of the toroid
>pointing
> outwards.
>2. I have made a strike rod that has a 3/4" diam steel or brass ball on
>the end of a 1/4" brass rod
>3. The end of the brass rod. opposite to the ball is grounded.
>4. The height of the ball is set to be exactly the same height thumb
>tack.
>5. Measurements are take between the ball and the thumb tack using a
>standard tape measure (after the coil
> is off)
>
>In my particular situation, I watch the coil fire and the instant that I
>see a VISUAL strike from the
>toroid to the ball is comfirmation that I have made that distance.
>
>However I have also noticed that I may have to wait for a while before I
>get another confirmed strike.
>Was that poor design of my coil or was I just lucky when the strike
>occured? Who knows!
>
>The question is whether, that one strike confirms that distance or not?
>It may never happen again!
>Should a confirmation be made only after there are say 2 - 3 strikes
>within a 60 second period?
>Or should we just leave it at that and say that 1 visual stike is good
>enough?
>Maybe we should be using a sharp point at each end.....one on the toroid
>and one on the ground rod...
>or should we not use a sharp point at all to prevent breakout.....
>
>I guess what I am trying to get at is whether this group could come up
>with a common method of
>measuring spark distances that is easy, cheap, harmless and fun! (I
>guess fun is the most
>important part of this!)
>
>Oh by the way, the longest spark that I have attained is 34" using
>15KV-at-30ma / .005ufd / 4" D x 18 " / 22G wire
>2 gap static gap / and that is using my method of measurement. I am
>trying to improve that distance without going
>to any RSG. I guess only fine tuning will get that distance
>increased...or maybe a large fly will fly between the
>toroid and strike rod to increase my strike distance :)
>
>Looking forward to an interesting discussion.
>
>
>
>--
>Regards
>
>Richard Staron, VE3FAC
>http://www.aracnet-dot-net/~rstaron
>
>
>