Re: First light

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: First light
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 1998 08:44:38 -0600
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

From: 	Bert Hickman[SMTP:bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com]
Reply To: 	bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com
Sent: 	Friday, January 09, 1998 8:40 AM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: First light

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> From:   LINEMAN23K[SMTP:LINEMAN23K-at-aol-dot-com]
> Sent:   Thursday, January 08, 1998 7:24 PM
> To:     tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject:        First light
> 
> I have been researching TC's for about a year now but have finally finished
> building my first Tesla coil.  I am getting 49" streamers with seldom strikes
> at 52".  I would like to thank everyone on the list for their contributions.
<SNIP>

Rusty,

Congratulations on first light!! From the description above, the output
you're seeing is in the right ballpark. A couple of things could be done
to increase the performance. First, at this power level, you may want to
try using a vacuum gap to get better quenching. Also, increasing the
size of the tank capacitance may help a bit. The downside is that
increased sparklength may cause you to take more hits to the strikerail
that's above the primary. You are using a strikerail...?? :^)

Finally, you may see improved performance by going to a larger radius
of curvature on your toroid so that you can hold off more voltage before
breakout. Try going to a 6" x 24 or so... 

Safe coilin' to you, Rusty!

-- Bert --