Re: First light with new MMC PLEASE HELP!!

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

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz>

Hi Greg,

On 15 Sep 2002, at 19:32, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Mr Gregory Peters by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <s371034-at-student.uq.edu.au>
> 
> 
> 
> Malcolm,
>  
> > Current has to be the culprit and my guess is that a shorted turn 
> > resulting from voltage stress between turns is most likely. What 
> > kind 
> > of wire are you using and what is the insulating coating? I 
> > presume 
> > the coil is closewound (nothing wrong with that per se)?
> > 
> > Regards,
> > Malcolm
> 
> Please see reply to Ted's post for coil stats. I think I will wind a 
> new secondary, but will use stranded PVC coated wire for the bottom 10 
> inches or so of the coil. Scott D has had success with this. Hopefully 
> it will handle the extra current better, though I worry about the 
> measly 1kV rating. What do you think?

I think bolstering insulation between turns at the bottom is a good 
idea. If base current was a problem, you'd get a diminishing glow 
from the bottom turn up. It has to be a shorted turn (or one shorting 
thanks to a spark between it and its nearest neighbour. 
    You said polyesteramide? What colour is the wire coating? Not red 
by any chance? I use polyester*imide* for all applications.

Regards,
malcolm