aluminum tape /duct toroid - greatly exceeds previous output

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

Original poster: "Laurence Davis by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <meknar-at-hotmail-dot-com>

Hearing all the talk of toroids and construction:

I decided to try again.
my first attempt was 6"x24" with aluminum tape and 12kv/120ma
and homemade PE plate cap at 26.5nf.  best results were about 2.5 / 3ft.

added mmc caps a few days ago.
got a 4"x20" toroid and taped it.
couldn't wait to try it.  killed the other 4 12kv/30ma before.
have 2 12kv/30ma running right now and 12.5nf geekcaps.

consistent arcs to cage which is about 3ft all around toroid.
having problems setting the safety gap.

the safety gap is crap.
its zinc coated machine screws with a hemispherical top.
i think they are going to melt. :)
melt is cool, but means gap not set correctly.
PLUS the gap 'legs' are about 1.25" apart and arc between each other.
as a temporary fix i may install a fan to blow the ions away from the
safety gap area. (if it works.  however it may affect setting the gap 
correctly)

my main gap is at .25", the safety gaps are set near that, but do not fire 
until 50% power (after they are warm, upto 100% power when cold, they wont 
fire but occasionally.)

i think my safety gap needs something that wont overheat.
they got hot enough in a 20min that I wouldn't dare touch them.
not glowing mind you, but warm enough that from about 1/4" the heat felt 
substantial.

larry.