Re: very confused coil results

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

Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <tesla123-at-pacbell-dot-net>

Hi Chris,

I've been reading this thread off and on. Obviously, running in "total"
darkness is the best way to
identify problems (possibly with the bulb in place but covered somehow).
I've done this a number of
times for various reasons.

But, this sounds to me like the gap is being bypassed. If there is "any"
wood used at the primary form
or gap construction, I would "highly" suspect a carbon track has formed in
the primary, gap, or
associated construction. This would pass a continuous current through the
primary and induce current in
the secondary and bulb. This can usually be seen in total darkness, but if
not, inspect in detail any
part of the tank that could come in contact with any part of the
construction that might be capable of
carbon tracking.  You may not even have wood or a composite capable of
carbon tracking, but thought I
should mention it (just in case).

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Chris Swinson by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <exxos-at-cps-games.co.uk>
>
> dwp, all,
>
> >
> > Even if it was only leaking 50 mA or so, enough to light the
> > 7W/240V lamp?
>
> 50ma would be enough  to see some output.
>
> >
> > > I know this all to well as it happend before and left a large burn
> >
> > >mark on the floor which is why I made a better job of it.  I did
> >
> > >check this about just in case but there is no short or arc there.
> >
> >
> > Was it checked in the dark?
>
> every test I do is done in the dark, then should something arc when it
> shouldn't then you can see it a lot beter.
>
> >
> > > Even so would a current flow to ground at 50hz?
> >
> >
> > Why would it not?
> > The usual supply is fed from a distribution transformer
> > solidly grounded (outside the premises...)
>
> I tested this and at about 5kv you can pass current via grounds. even so
> this would require a short from the NST to the bulb.
>
> >
> > > I did take a measure from mains ground to coil ground and it
> >
> > >was higher than 20megs.
> >
> >
> > I fail to see why.  While having them separated has
> > it's purposes, they should, at 'DC', be close to the
> > same.
> >
> > > not short there ?!?!?!
> >
> >
> > At the few volts supplied by the ohmmeter for test.
> > At mumble KV there may be some leakage.  Only 0.05A
> > will light that lamp...  Dos the transformer have
> > a center tap, or one end, tied to case?
> >
>
> The ground is center tap, this is mains ground. The ground with the bulb on
> it is another ground where I banged a 3 foot rod in the garden for a
> secondary earth.  I know now current can flow via ground but thats just the
> return of the current. There is simply nothing near any HT wires, its all
> mounted way above the bulb ground wire.  Im beginning to wonder if theres
> another problem relating to earths somewhere else.  As it stands no spark
> gap fire no voltage anywhere, no bulb light.... but it does... I will have
> to put it down to some form of ground problem, though the end of the bulb is
> conencted to the secondary which is no where near anything at all.... very
> strange, one for the X-files I think :-\
>
> chris