[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: weather influence on TC performance
Robin,
This is one I've been trying to figure out for a while also.
Humidity will change the capacitance of your top electrode since the air is
your dialectric medium between it and ground, and since the relative
permittivity changes with the humidity level, you have to re-tune the primary
to match the change in secondary circuit frequency. Your spark gap(s) will
also be affected due to a change in breakdown voltage, and you may need to
change the spacing for best sparks.
Don't try and run your coil in foggy or misty weather. The condensed water
can make nasty paths for the sparks to travel. If you have any wood for
insulation between things, it can quickly become conductive in high humidity.
Phenolic will also absorb water and can become conductive.
R. Scott Coppersmith
<< Original Poster: "Robin Copini" <rcopini-at-merlin-dot-net.au>
Hi all,
I have a question involving the performance of TC's and the ambient
weather conditions. For those that don't know
I live in Adelaide South Australia - quoted as being the driest state in
the driest continent on earth. Now for most of
the spring/summer/autumn, (fall for you guys in the states), it's very
dry and can get quite hot, temps 37 - 40 degC are quite
normal for days at a time here.
Usually this isn't a problem, but this year for whatever reason it's
also quite HUMID, with levels between 65 - 80% fairly
regular lately soooooo......
My TC rather enjoys secondary arcing now instead of the nice arcs I was
getting when it was not quite so humid. I still get
arcs from the top load but they are vary numerous, (10 to 15), and
fairly short, (2 to 3 feet), and at the same time an almost
continuous secondary arc occurs, not much fun!.
Now I'm assuming that it's the humidity but is there a cure or do I just
wait until it dries out a bit? I figure, given the wide
geographic distribution of the members on this list that someone has
encountered this before.
Best Regards in now not so dry OZ
Robin Copini.
>>