Russian Doorknob Caps Nogoodnik!

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

Original poster: "Gregory Hunter by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <ghunter31014-at-yahoo-dot-com>

Dear List,

I bought these Russian doorknob caps on e-bay. They
seemed like a bargain. A set of four for $9.95 plus $9
international shipping. The caps are rated 2200pF -at-
30KV. Seemed like just the thing for a small tabletop
coil I've been contemplating.

http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg/commiecaptop.jpg

http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg/commiecapside.jpg

Last night I paralleled one with my 47nF MMC on my 4"
x 24" junkbox coil. I fired it up at 3300VA with the
4-pack MOT stack. The Russian cap blew its top within
seconds!

http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg/commiecapdeath.jpg

The smell was awful enough to run me out of the
garage! Ugh! What was in that thing?! Reminded me of a
rancid septic tank just outside a paper mill on a hot
day!

Now I have 3 of these Russian doorknobs left,
apparently useless for my intended purpose. Oh
well--live & learn.

Gregonovich Hunterski