Re: Small power supply and static spark gap

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

Original poster: "Stephen Conner by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <steve-at-scopeboy-dot-com>

At 17:03 09/12/02 -0700, you wrote:
>Original poster: "Michael Quarles by way of Terry Fritz 
><twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <mquarles-at-qusion-dot-com>
>
>This is the transformer I ordered:
>
>Marshall Electric Neon Power Drive
>Dimension: 6.5" x 3" x 2". Input Voltage: 110 Vac, 1.5A, 60Hz, Output
>Voltage/Current: 2KV - 6KV 30mA bright, 2KV - 6KV 20 mA dim. Construction:
>Molded high impact plastic housing. Adjustments required: None. Temperature
>range: 35 Deg F to 120 Deg F
>THESE UNITS BEST OPERATE AT LOADS OF 4KV OR LESS
>
>Will this work for a TC?  I real somewhere that 6KV is the min you can use
>with a static spark gap.  Is this true?

I've seen quite a few mini TCs that work with a 4kV/20mA transformer. I 
like Dan McCauley (Sp?)'s mini katz coil, it seems to work fine.

http://www.spacecatlighting-dot-com/teslacoil4.htm

The fact that your specification mentions a plastic housing, and "bright" 
and "dim" modes, makes me think that it is an electronic power supply and 
not an ordinary transformer. If it is an electronic unit I think it will be 
no good for powering a TC and you probably better get a Franceformer 4/20 
instead. Maybe someone can correct me on this?


>What does it mean "THESE UNITS BEST OPERATE AT LOADS OF 4KV OR LESS"?
>I thought a load draws amps not voltage.

I think the spec was poorly worded. The voltage output of a neon power 
supply depends on the current you draw, so the more amps you take, the less 
volts you get. I guess they meant: "If your neon tubing draws enough 
current that the output falls below 4kV, our transformer will work better"

Steve C.
Tesla coils, electronic music, audio
http://www.scopeboy-dot-com/