Disappointing Results

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

Original poster: "David Kyle by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <dave-at-kyleusa-dot-com>


I fired up the desktop model T spark coil powered coil with very disappointing
results. It appears that the pulse caps I am using simply short out the spark
coil as I get no spark across my spark gap even when it is nearly closed. So
here is the question: is it my choice of capacitor or have I selected too high
a capacitance value for such a low power coil.

 

I know very little about the pulse caps I am using other than they are rated at
.05uf at 10KVDC. I put 5 in series to yield a .01uf at 50KVDC. The cap does
measure out at the correct value and does not have measurable resistance with a
multi-meter. There is no question that when the cap is put across the coil it
simply shorts it out.

 

The spark coil might be good for about one milliamp but I had not expected .01
would short it out. What value might be more appropriate? Would a doorknob cap
be a better solution for a very low power coil?

 

Dave

 

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Dave Kyle
Austin, TX USA
Email: dave-at-kyleusa-dot-com