Re: Over Quenching?

["Barton B. Anderson" <tesla123-at-pacbell-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

I've noticed the same condition with a rotary. At lower speeds (say 120 bps),
this condition is prominent versus higher bps rates where it is difficult to
make out the change (but there is some change). I've theorized that this is due
to the longer charge time. I've run 20nF and 60nF the same night and there is
considerable diffenence (more erratic at higher cap values, even with
relatively narrow gaps). The 20nF is obviously faster to charge than the 60nF.
In your case with RQ gap, a longer charge time may simply imply a different
rate of discharge determined by the time the cap reaches the discharge voltage
for the gap width. 

For what it's worth, 
Bart 

Tesla list wrote: 
>
> Original poster: "J. B. Weazle McCreath" <weazle-at-hurontel.on.ca> 
>
> Hello Coilers; 
>
> I've been playing around with various cap values/primary turns 
> on my coil which is powered by a 6 KV, 500 mA. radar tranny. 
> The changes require re-tuning after each change as expected, 
> but I've also noted that the sound of both the RQ gap and 
> the streamers off the topload sound more ragged and have a 
> lower tone when I use the larger cap, fewer turns setup. 
>
> The first configuration is .0033 uF. and about 11.5 turns 
> while the second configuration is .016 uF. and around 
> 6.5 turns on the primary. 
>
> Is it possible that I may be over quenching the RQ gap when I 
> have the larger value cap in use?  I'm using an old Filter 
> Queen motor/compressor to draw air thru the gaps between the 
> pipe sections, with it running full tilt.  I'm going to try 
> to borrow a smaller variac so that I can thottle down the 
> the air flow, but I'd be interested in hearing any comments 
> you fellows can offer in the meantime. 
>
> 73, Weazle, VE3EAR/VE3WZL 
>
> Listening: 147.030+ and 442.075+ 
> E-mail:    weazle-at-hurontel.on.ca 
>            or ve3ear-at-rac.ca 
> Web site:  www.hurontel.on.ca/~weazle