Re: Measuring static gap BPS

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Measuring static gap BPS
From: Esondrmn-at-aol-dot-com (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 12:13:59 -0700
Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme

In a message dated 12/22/99 6:47:41 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:

> 
>  Has anyone found an easy way to measure the firing rate of a static gap?
>  I'm sure there's a way to devise some sort of optical or inductive pickup
>  with a low-pass filter and limiter, and feed this into a frequency counter.
>  But rather than re-invent the wheel, I thought I'd ask if someone else has
>  done this.
>  
>  Regards, Gary Lau
>  Waltham, MA USA
>  
Gary,

If you use a scope and a pick up loop, with the coil running, you should see 
the large spikes as the gap fires, followed by the decreasing amplitude 
signals as the gap quenches.  Like maybe three to six oscillations at the 
resonant frequency.  If you slow the time base down, there should be groups 
of these gap firings and the distance apart should be the firing rate - I 
would think, unless I have missed something here.  I don't have a scope at 
home so have not tried it.  I really would like to see exactly what speed my 
rotary is running at too.

Ed Sonderman