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Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 17:16:52 -0600
From: "D.C. Cox" <DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)

to: Richard

For best spark lengths the ground electrode should be approx 30-45 degrees
above the horizontal plane of the main discharge terminal.  You will get
the longest sparks with no tack because it will allow the toroid to charge
to a higher potential before discharge.  

DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net


----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
> Date: Sunday, August 02, 1998 10:08 PM
> 
> 
> 
> ---------- 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
>