Re: Arc Over Between Secondary and Primary Coils (Tuning?)

["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 3/16/02 5:20:05 PM Eastern Standard Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
writes:

Nolan,

First reduce the coupling by raising the secondary.  This will
tend to stop the arc-overs too by moving the secondary farther
from the primary.  Then tune the coil for strongest sparks by
adjusting the tap point for longest sparks.  there should be
no arc-overs ever.  Then lower the secondary until arc-overs
just start, then raise it a little until they stop.  If you want,
you can put a sleeve of polyethylene plastic between the
primary and secondary to stop the arcovers, but it shouldn't
be needed.  There should be at least 1" between the primary
and secondary, to make arc-overs less likely.  At best tune
point the sparks will be loudest and longest.  

Cheers,
John

>
> ,
>
>     When tuning my coil how am I suppose to know when I have it exactly in
> tune? Can I tell by the behavior of the streamers?  What should they look,
> sound like and behave? When I adjust the primary coil only 1/4 of a turn
> more the streamers go from smooth little bit shorter to little bit longer
> and more frantic looking also more intense with some arc over, but if I add
> 1/4 more turn they are even more intense and a little longer with some more
> arc over between primary and secondary coil.  Adjusting the tuning any more
> after makes the steamers decrease in length and there is a ton of arc over.
> I don't have any equipment to check the frequency of the coils. Any tips any
> one on how to tune the coil? BTW it is a flat primary coil and I believe its
> taped at the 5th turn.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Nolan Moore