Re: Spark Gap Formula Help!

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

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

A single gap works fine, especially if you have a small fan (i.e. a 3" fan
from a computer supply, for instance) blowing on it.  The reason there isn't
a formula or something for the gaps is that spark gaps are "empirical",
which is just a nice way to say, try different things until it works.  For
your 12 kV (RMS) transformer, a starting point would be setting the total
gap (sum of all intermediate gaps) or the single gap to about 4 mm, or 1/6
inch..

Start simple with a simple gap, then try replacing it with a fancier one and
see if it works better.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2001 5:33 PM
Subject: Re: Spark Gap Formula Help!


> Original poster: "David Knaack by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <dknaack-at-rdtech-dot-com>
>
> From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> > Original poster: "Jonathan Peakall by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <jpeakall-at-mcn-dot-org>
> >
> > I have searched the archives and looked all over for a formula I saw
> > somewhere on the list to determine the total gap on a multi static gap
> > based on transformer power and I think tank caps.
>
> I need this info too.
>
> Also, I've forgotten and haven't been able to find information
> about single vs. multiple static gaps.  I'm going to be running
> with a 12kv 30mA NST.  Initially I would like to just set up a
> simple single gap, but I don't know if that will be sufficent.
>
> Thanks
> DK
>
>
>