Re: SRSG gap spacing?

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

Original poster: "Dave Leddon by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <leddon-at-attbi-dot-com>

Hi John,

You know, if re-ignition were a problem one could stagger the electrode
positions (in a 2-fixed/2-rotary configuration) such that as the first pair
of electrodes closed to within arcing distance, the second pair would
already be at their closest proximity.  That way as one pair closed the
distance, the other pair would be increasing the distance at the same rate,
thereby producing a constant width arc.  Of course you couldn't run such a
gap at reduced voltage, but it might be just the ticket for a large coil
operating at or near its maximum limit.

Dave

At 01:02 PM 5/27/02 -0600, you wrote:
>Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<FutureT-at-aol-dot-com>
>
>In a message dated 5/26/02 11:21:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
>writes:
>
>
>>
>> Original poster: "Dave Leddon by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
>> <leddon-at-attbi-dot-com>
>
>
>
>Dave,
>
>Many coils refuse to run well with a wide SRSG electrode spacing.
>Much of this probably has to do with firing voltage.  If the firing 
>voltage is low, due to a non-resonant charging setting, or if the 
>transformer voltage is rather low, then the electrode spacing will
>need to be closer.  Large powerful coils usually can tolerate a
>wider electrode spacing.  Thick electrodes combined with a
>fast charge rate, in a powerful coil, may not tolerate narrow
>gap spacings, because re-firing of the electrodes during the
>presentations, may occur.
>
>NST's can be destroyed by wide electrode settings, and often
>run unsteadily, and give short streamer lengths.
>
>Basically, the electrode spacing which gives the steadiest,
>smoothest operation, with the longest streamer lengths, should
>be used.
>
>Cheers,
>John
>
>
>>
>> What is the rational behind maintaining a narrow gap spacing on a SRSG?
>> I've seen this recommendation so often in this list that it begins to take
>> on the dimension of dogma.  On my coil, as the electrodes wear down and the
>> gap spacing approaches 1/8 inch, the performance actually seems to improve.
>> In theory a wider gap should reduce the arc dwell time.  So what are the
>> advantages?
>>
>> Dave
>>
>