Re: trigger gap

["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 Steve,

It is possible the TSG may help. I think your best bet is to build Ted's
circuit. The TSG allows a
wider gap due to the voltage level of the ignition coil which is triggering
the tank circuit, thus
you will need to play around with the gap setting to find what works best.
I think it may be
difficult to truely identify if you'll increase spark length because the
watts are creeping up
there. I think it's getting into a gray area that only "try it and see what
happens" can answer (but
that's part of coiling and part of the fun). Further cooling may be needed.

I would definately change out the original Lutron triac. Also, ensure you
get the Lutron brand to
ensure consistency of design. For example, the Ace Hardware brand doesn't
include the diac which if
used, should be added to the circuit to ensure consistent triggering (you
don't want a bunch of
misfires with a wide gap spacing - can be hazardous to the cap and NST).

Also, the the triac MAC223AB on page 2 of the pdf should be MAC223A8.
Here's the triac I've used:

Industry Number  : Q4015L5
NTE Device Number: NTE56020
TRIAC-400V,25AMP,TO-220 ISOL

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Steven Ward by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<srward16-at-hotmail-dot-com>
>
> Hi ,
>
> I was wondering if i would get any benifit from a triggered gap.  MY coil is
> using an 1800VA NST PSU.  I currently have a .0283uf MMC cap.  This is a
> little LTR for my 15000/120 ma PSU.  Im already getting 5 foot arcs.  My
> calculated max output is 6 feet.  Im using a RQ static gap at the moment.  I
> was wandering the net and saw some mentioning of a triggered gap.  Ive seen
> this on the list too.  I also was just looking at Ted Rosenbergs T gap.  Im
> curious as to how specific you need to follow his design.  Do i really need
> to replace the triac inside the dimmer, with a different one??  Also, do i
> need a Wells coil?(i guess i might as well).  If i have to i will double my
> capacitor for .0566uf.  At this power level my RQ gap does get warm even
> with the fan.  So is it worth it??  I also would have to find some tungsten,
> which i havent really tried yet.  I would really like the SRSG but i dont
> have that much money, and i dont have the machine shop available to make a
> rotor.  So how effective is the Tgap??  And does anyone else have plans for
> a Tgap?  Thanks guys,
>
> Steve Ward.