Re: AMRAD Spark Gaps

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Ed Phillips by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Oxandale, Terry by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Toxandale-at-SPP-dot-org>
> 
>         The temperature rating was very low (I'm sure, because the
> gaskets were designed to operated in an oil bath that I would expect
> never see 50 degrees C. I only used them because they were soft enough
> to crush and seal tightly, and because I had never built one and never
> expected the large improvement over the stationary SG performance. The
> pieces were pressed using (I'm going on memory here) a large washer on
> top and centered over the brass disc and a smaller washer was centered
> under the disc. the small washer OD was about 1/4" smaller than the
> larger washer ID, thus when pressed, it formed a small round but flat
> protrusion in the middle of the disc (again, like a dinner plate). If I
> could find a high temperature plastic or fiber washers to seal these
> "units", this thing would be worth redoing. It was interesting in that
> when I would rebuild these washers, inspection of the discs revealed a
> very uniform arcing pattern over the entire protruded portion (1.5"
> diameter) of the disc. I did find that the expansion of the convex
> surface did close up each individual gap a slight amount after warming
> up thoroughly. I can look up the article date or send a Excel drawing of
> the if wanted. It was a very simple device, and made with very basic
> materials and tools, but worked very well. There is no telling how much
> better a professionally designed one would work.
> 
>         Terry

	Would be very much interested in more details and a photo, if
possible.  

Ed