Tesla Tank Discharge at Zero Point Voltage?

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

Original poster: "harvey norris by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <harvich-at-yahoo-dot-com>

Was wondering if I could get an informed opinion here.
Since the Tesla tank configuration consists of L(p)
and C(p) in series, which is shunted or in parallel to
the arc gap, when a (static, non rotary) arc gap
fires, does it naturally fire at the point when the
polarity of its high voltage source is near the zero
point, or when it is changing polarity?  Doesnt this
stand to reason since if the source can meet the
demand of current being made by the value of capacity,
the capacitor has become fully charged by the time one
half cycle of the AC input has occured, and then
breifly discharges  at the gap, starting near the time
period when the source supply of voltage then is
minimalized in its polarity crossing?  Does the proper
gap setting also insure that performance, and if it
were to fire at a different time period with reference
to the polarity of the voltage input, is this what
causes quenching problems, since then the gap appears
as a short to the voltage supply?  Is this the meaning
of a capacitive reactance having its voltage 90
degrees behind the source voltage, thus necessitating
its firing at the gap during source voltage polarity
crossing?  Thanx for any answers here.

Sincerely HDN

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