Re: A Little more than general questions lV

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

Original poster: "Gregory Hunter by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <ghunter31014-at-yahoo-dot-com>

Hi Wade,

--- Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:
> Original poster: "Wade B AndB Anderson by way of
> Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
> <nabedaw-at-juno-dot-com>
> 
> Hi People-
> 
> My next question is going to involve the actual
> coupling between the
> primary and secondary of the TC.
> 
> I've noted that some prefer to leave the secondary
> abit adjustable, now
> what advantages or disadvantages come with a loose
> or tight coupling???

Tesla coils require loose coupling (k=0.1 to 0.2) for
proper fuctioning.  I know this seems illogical, but I
assure you it's true.  Don't get coupling confused
with efficiency--they are separate issues when dealing
with Tesla coils.

> 
> Has anyone tried to place the primary inside of the
> secondary??? And if
> so with what affects???

Dunno about that one.  Sure would be a booger to tune
it.

> 
> What would happen if a person were to elevate the TC
> to say (an ambiguous
> number) 25 or 50 feet off the ground???  This would
> increase the
> capacitance of the secondary??? Yes??? Change the
> resonant frequency???
> Yes???

The tank circuit and the secondary are sensitive to
nearby objects, and proximity to the ground, walls,
people, furniture, etc., can certainly influence
resonant frequency.

> 
> Since this Tesla Coil thing is new to me, I mean
> that I've heard about it
> for years, but not until recently have I wanted to
> build one. 
> 
> How much current is flowing in the arc of the spark
> gap??? Best

The average current is no higher than the power supply
current.  If you are using a 60ma NST, then the
average spark gap current is 60ma.  However, the peak
current can range up into the tens of thousands of
amps.  That's why a dinky little 60ma NST can excite a
Tesla coil to spray out 5 foot streamers.  For just an
instant, the tank circuit is oscillating with
astonishing power.

> guesstimations are fine. And the same with the
> streamers off the
> toriod???
> 
> Are we talkin about a major gain??? High voltages
> usually yield small
> currents. Just curious.
> 
> Picking a value for the capacitance of the primary
> tank circuit is kinda
> bothering me. This value is going to play a very big
> roll at where this
> device resonants........yes????

Yes--the tank cap and the primary coil decide the
resonant frequency of the tank circuit.  If in doubt,
go with resonant charging.  That way, if your cap
value ends up a little higher or lower than dead-on
resonant, it will still work pretty good.

> 
> What are the advantages or disadvantages whae
> running at higher or lower
> frequencies???

Lower is better, within reason.  For example, 150kHz
is better than 500Khz.

> 
> I know these ae some rather indepth questions guys,
> but I'd appreciate if
> some of you would take the time to answer them the
> best that you can.  :)
> 
> Aside from the obvious curiousity that this device
> brings, and the utter
> fun of assembly the project, is anyone conducting
> any serious tests with
> the TC???

Dunno.  Some guys analyze their coils with pretty
serious test equipment, some of it specially modified
to deal with high voltage.  List membership includes
professional engineers, physicists, etc.  I mostly
just admire the sparks, or perhaps disentegrate an old
CD ROM for kicks. I guess I'm more settler than
pioneer.

> 
> Terry- I would lke to thank you for turning me on to
> this group, everyone
> has been very helpful.
> 
> John- I just downloaded the zip file......gonna see
> if that
> works......thanks.
> 
> Anyway,       Wade

Cheers,

Greg
http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg

> 
> 
> 


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