Re: Primary Tap Question.

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

Original poster: "Peter Lawrence by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Peter.Lawrence-at-Sun-dot-com>


I was not going to admit I used alligator clips, but since JF does...

I finess my clips by grinding out a hole where the clip teeth are that
just about matches my primary wire (#10 or #12 awg typically). very clean,
never falls off.

-Peter Lawrence.

ps, funny story: I used to use some pre-made alligator clip test leads, but
one day noticed one of the plastic covers was "glowing". Turns out that the
crimped connection was poor and there was an arc going on at high power.
Since then I have hand soldered every one of my alligator clips, no more
crimped connectors for HV/HP.




>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
>
>
>
>