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Re: Capabilities of Small Thin Wire Secondaries (fwd)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 17:08:38 +1200
From: Malcolm Watts <MALCOLM-at-directorate.wnp.ac.nz>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Capabilities of Small Thin Wire Secondaries (fwd)
Hi John,
> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 10:47:39 EDT
> From: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Capabilities of Small Thin Wire Secondaries (fwd)
>
> In a message dated 98-07-28 15:29:52 EDT, you write:
>
> << A few racing sparks appeared
> > > after awhile, but a household fan blowing on the gaps helps slightly.
> > > Eventually the gaps heat and racing sparks appear, although the
> > > quench on the scope could be seen to remain at 1st notch.
>
> > Correct me if I'm wrong but that would seem to be an indicator that
> > racing sparks are not necessarily (if at all) caused by the
> > frequencies present when a beat envelope is present?
>
> > A very interesting post indeed. I may comment further at some stage.
>
> > Regards,
> > Malcolm >>
>
> Hi Malcolm,
>
> I agree. Unless my scope isn't showing me the whole picture. I'm
> not 100% sure it's showing me each firing. I'm not sure how well the
> triggering function works in a Tesla environment. For instance if for
> some reason the scope is triggering only on the first gap firing during
> an AC half cycle, it could then be possible that subsequent firings
> are not quenching as well, but I'm not seeing it? I have no idea if
> this is likely or not...it's just a thought. I'm using a short wire connected
> to the external trigger scope input, since this seems to give the steadiest
> triggering.
>
> It is interesting that the racing sparks occur only after the coil runs
> awhile, which suggests to me either the scenario above, or maybe
> the general ionization levels gradually build so high around the coil,
> that breakdown is promoted?
I think that could be. An example: I can run a resonator just below
its voltage limit in single shot (just below the point it flashes
over) but the moment I try upping the rep rate, blam! Racing sparks
everywhere. In the dark, a resonator run this close shows corona
streaks all around it complete with field lines.
> Maybe the quenching can remain at Ist notch, but degrade in some
> other way?
>
> I think the use of a household fan blowing on the gaps held off the
> racing sparks for awhile in some tests, which suggests a quench
> related cause, (unless the blowing air also affected the ionization
> around the coil).
Might be worth looking into.
Thanks,
Malcolm