[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Help...I'm having a lot of problems here...
Hello all...
About six months ago my step son and I decided to build a TC for his science
fair project. Boy, was that a mistake...
First I'll tell you that this is my first coil project, so I'm sure we've
made a lot of mistakes in our design. I think that one of my biggest
mistakes is that cap we are using (I thought I would try to save some time
and money).
Power source:
Furnace transformer or NST (I'm not sure):
-10KVA
-25 milliamp
Cap (set back for a good laugh):
-12x 2KVDC .01 uf ceramic caps soldered in parallel for a
total of 24KVDC
-submerged in mineral oil in plexi box
Spark gap (another joke):
-plexi box with three adjustable gaps in series
Primary:
-3/8" copper tubing
-ID 7.7"
-Wire spacing ..875"
-5.5 total turns
-wound flat (0 degrees)
Secondary:
-4.2" diameter (thin wall PVC drain pipe)
-21" long winding
-22 ga wire - enamel coated
-shellaced before and after winding
Toroid:
-4" dryer duct
-12" diameter center of tube to center of tube
Now here is the problems we're having:
After hooking up the cap the way all the schematics show I get no discharge
at the spark gap at all. BTW, the way I read the schematics, one terminal
of the cap attaches to the output of the transformer and the other attaches
to the ground. Now, if I attach the cap in a series (one terminal input,
the other output) I get spark at the gap.
I have gotten absolutely no discharge at the torid whatsoever...sure does
light a flourescent tube nicely though :-)
Does anyone have a suggestions...I'm sure some of you must! Your response
is greatly appreciated, since the science fair judging in Thursday...Yes,
this Thursday.
Kent