Re: Strike Balls

["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 7/12/02 12:26:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
writes:

Chris,

Yes, the unused turns build up a high voltage by autotransformer
action, which can jump to the strike rail.  The solution is to either
cut off some primary turns, or build a new secondary using more 
turns, so you use more turns of the primary.  I always like to
have extra turns on the primary in case I modify anything which
may then require the extra primary turns.  If you do cut off
the extra turns, you can cut it at turn 12 or 13, leaving you
3 or 4 extra turns.  Better yet, just remove about 3 turns and
see if it solves the problem.  Better yet, move the strike rail
farther from the primary and see if that solves the problem.

John


>
> I think my problem lies in the fact that I built a rather massive primary
> 20 turns of 1/4inch copper tubing and now its tapped or tuned around the 9th
> turn. That leaves 11 turns of coil hanging out there. More than enough coil
> to drive a big secondary....