RE: Power output

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

Original poster: "Terry Fritz" <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>

Hi Jim,

I have done some work with solid state gaps.

http://hot-streamer-dot-com/TeslaCoils/MyCoils/SolidStateCoil/

Dig through the files (sorry, no nice HTML guide page.  #473658 on my list
of things to do :-))

Using IGBTs, one can make a far more efficient gap for a full powered
disruptive coil.  However, the cost of the parts is about $2000 before you
get into the bleeding edge design trial and error stuff.  Better IGBTs are
coming onto the market that can substantially reduce that cost but the time
of the solid state gap is not quite here yet.

BTW - Here are the calculated losses in my big coil:

LTR Coil Power Calculations 
Mon, 14 Jun 1999 23:54:44 -0600 

The power distribution in the system is as follows: 
Neon Primary = 30.6 watts 
Neon Secondary = 38.87 watts 
Filter Resistors = 98.4 watts 
Spark Gap = 386.5 watts 
Secondary Losses = 54.4 watts 
Power to Arc = 283.5 watts 
Total Power = 892.3 watts 

Note that with almost 900 watts of real power in, only 32% makes it to the
arcs with 43% being eaten by the rotary spark gap.  People think this coil
is very efficient! (compared to other 15/60 NST systems) but it is loosing
power like mad.  Typical for disruptive spark gap coils...

Vast room for improvement!!  A simple way to look for losses is to look for
things that get hot.  Spark gaps are hot!

Cheers,

	Terry



At 07:34 PM 3/13/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>>About 1/2 the power is lost
>>in the spark gap.  
>
>
>What can(has) be done to reduce this power loss?
>What's the best we can expect.
>What if one were to make a 100% efficient spark gap?
>
><< Jim >>
>