Gets all "wimpy" seeks help still

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jim-at-jlproduction-dot-com>

Hi all,
Please read the following conversation and feel fee to add anything you
like. I have never received any more replies after my final response.
Thanks,
Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-2-admin-at-tesla-2-dot-org [mailto:tesla-2-admin-at-tesla-2-dot-org] On
Behalf Of jim-at-jlproduction-dot-com
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2002 7:16 PM
To: tesla-2-at-tesla-2-dot-org
Subject: RE: [Tesla-2] Gets all "wimpy"

Hi again,

>> Then perhaps your power level is just on the edge of
being enough for consistent breakouts from your toroid.

I would agree if not for the first few runs. This thing threw arcs as
soon as the spark gap starts firing when I first fired it up. Power
levels at about 40VAC!!
Another thing I noticed is when it decides to go into wimpy mode the
whole sound gets different. Almost like when it was first fired and was
out of tune. Even the spark gap loses its sharp snapping sound.

>> Do a little careful tuning. Sometimes just a 1/4 turn one way
or the other on the primary can make a difference.

When I was first tuning it I noticed 1/4 turn either way and it would
not break out on it's own at all. I have not tried for example 1/8 inch
increments, would this possibly make any difference?
Also of note is I am pretty sure I am UNDER coupled to at least some
degree.
I have two inches PER SIDE from primary to secondary and no real way to
raise or lower either one. I need a better design on one or the other.
Would this account for wimpy mode as things warm up a little?


>> But remember to make the most of the 2nd NST
you should increase your primary capacitance as well.

How would I do this? My cap is .01mfd and according to Tesla CAD I need
.008 so am I already in the right direction? That is to say do I have
more cap than I need now for the lone NST? I also have a 4 inch toroid
that will break out with the new gap but not as well as the 3 inch one.
I am tapped in at 8 turns out of 13 now

Thanks,
Jim




-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-2-admin-at-tesla-2-dot-org [mailto:tesla-2-admin-at-tesla-2-dot-org] On
Behalf Of Mike Hammer
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2002 2:32 PM
To: tesla-2-at-tesla-2-dot-org
Subject: RE: [Tesla-2] Gets all "wimpy"

At 01:53 PM 3/31/02 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Mike,
>I tried a wider gap but it seemed my safety gap fired quite often. I
>opted for less for the NST's sake but am willing to try anything.

If your safety is firing often with only .120 of gap at 9kv then
your safety gap may be a bit narrow as well. Sneak it open
a bit. Careful though. A too wide safety gap is no longer "safe".


>I did give them a little cleaning with some sandpaper but it didn't
seem
>  to do much.

Then perhaps your power level is just on the edge of
being enough for consistent breakouts from your toroid.
A little extra main gap will help here as well.

Your gap may be overheating as well. The electrodes get
hot and then quenching goes to hell. By the time you turn
the coil off and check the temperature they have already
cooled off due to the forced airflow. Try larger electrodes that
can sink more heat. Several electrodes in series distributes
the heat among several smaller gaps. Easier to cool.

Do a little careful tuning. Sometimes just a 1/4 turn one way
or the other on the primary can make a difference.

>The NST I am using is a 9/30 but I have another 9/30 on the way so I
can
>run two!!

That will help. But remember to make the most of the 2nd NST
you should increase your primary capacitance as well. And then
increase your toroid to balance out the increase in primary cap.
You should try to keep as many primary turns tapped in as possible.
Higher primary inductance gives more efficient operation.

TTYL!
Mike Hammer
mhammer-at-grics-dot-net