Re: Primary Tap Question.

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

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

In a message dated 4/17/02 1:49:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
writes:


>
> Hello People,
>
>   My question is: What is the best way or best item to use to tap into
> the primary coil?
>
>
> Vince 
>
>
> Vince

,

A simple way is to use an alligator clip that fits the copper tubing.
Certain shapes of clips are better than others.  You may need to
bend the end a little to give it the correct shape.  Another way
to make the connection is to use a piece of copper sheet, bent
around the copper tubing with a screw through it to create a 
clamp.  This is more trouble to change.  The alligator clip is
much easier and just as good in most cases.  For my efficient
coils, I use 12awg stranded wire and i just stick a sewing needle
into it for the tap point.  Many have said this method was very
poor, and indeed the needle gets warm or hot.  Still I get
42" sparks from a 12/30 NST.  This suggests that the connection
quality is not as important as is sometimes claimed, especially
for high Zsurge primaries.  Of course on a higher power coil, you
want to use better connections.  There's a danger the needle can
fall out.  

Cheers,
John