Re: NST Current Limiting

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

Original poster: "Daniel Reinders by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <danreind-at-shaw.ca>

Thanks for the input,

The trouble with Geek Group Caps for a Marx Generator is you need the full
complement for each stage (10 stages presently).  So one would need roughly
8-10 Geek caps per stage to withstand the voltage, times 10 stages meaning
100 capacitors total, at $300 bucks this would be a pricey way to go.
Besides, I need those caps to go into my new, improved Tesla Coil ;).  And
yes, a Marx generator is definitely the hard way of making sparks - no
comparison with a Tesla coil.  But it was still fun to do...

If primary ballasting is too much of an issue, it may just mean investing in
an appropriately sized power supply.  I'm just sort of swimming in 12/30
NST's at the moment (don't ask - I got plans for 'em), so I was going the
"easy" route for now.  Or is ballasting a feasible alternative.  Are there
differences for ballasting a pole-pig vs ballasting an inherently ballasted
NST?

Thanks,

Dan Reinders
----- Original Message -----
From: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: NST Current Limiting


 > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<dhmccauley-at-spacecatlighting-dot-com>
 >
 > In my opinion, I think you should just get the proper capacitors.
 >
 > Either way you go, you are going to need additional items to accomplish
what
 > you ask.  Those extra items might as well be capacitors instead of some
sort
 > of
 > ballast on the primary side.  Assuming your NST is sealed, adding shunts
 > would probably be a very difficult process.
 >
 > All you need is a 0.066uF capacitor.
 > Thats about 16 of the geek group caps at approx. $3.00 apiece.  For only
 > $48.00 you can accomplish what you need with proven capacitors not worry
 > about anything else.
 > http://www.thegeekgroup-dot-org/mmc
 >
 > I believe they have some in stock now for immediate delivery.
 >
 > Dan
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >  > Hi Everybody,
 >  >
 >  > I find myself in a rather rare position on this list.  I'm trying to
get
 >  > LESS current out of my neon sign transformer.  I had built a Marx
 >  > generator, and was running it off of a 12/30 NST (possible since
charging
 >  > rate >> 60 Hz), or at least I was until the capacitors spewed smoke one
by
 >  > one.  Guess those 10 kv/0.001 ufd ceramics just aren't up to the job.
 >  >
 >  > We'll I've got a bunch of new capacitors that I'm hoping will do the
 >  > trick.  The only catch is that their capacitance is much lower.  So the
 >  > Marx generator fires successfully, and then an arc gets established
that
 >  > does not "quench" - hence no more Marx arcs.  I figure that if I scale
 > back
 >  > the current to better match the capacitors it should do the trick.  So
I'm
 >  > wondering what is the best way to do this without losing
 >  > voltage?  Admittedly a non-Tesla question but I hope you'll indulge me.
 >  >
 >  > Thanks,
 >  >
 >  > Dan Reinders
 >  >
 >  >
 >  >
 >  >
 >  >
 >
 >