Re: First Light then Failure

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

Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <classictesla-at-netzero-dot-com>

Hi All,

Before I reply to Alan's question, I want to let everyone know I've changed 
my email address to:    classictesla-at-netzero-dot-com
I may have missed some TCML emails in the last 2 days. If there was some 
reply intended for me on any of the posts, please forward them to this new 
address.

Hi Alan,

Sounds like the caps or NST died. Given the cap type, I'd probably check 
the NST on each HV terminal as previously posted. Make sure you check both 
HV terminals.

The racing arcs are likely caused by tuning and/or coupling too high. Both 
have been reported to cause racing arcs. Since you were in the middle of 
probing around for the tune point, it's likely the tuning is the main 
cause. Once you find the component that died and get it working again, I 
recommend going back to your .015uF SWC and your original tune point. 
Adding more power does not dictate that you must reduce the cap size. 
Actually, at .015uF (your original) would have been a pretty good value for 
the 60mA. If your coil was close to being tuned with the 30mA NST, and you 
"reduced" your cap size (for whatever reason), you must "increase" your 
inductance by adding more turns. When you tapped in, you decreased your 
inductance and moved further out of tune. I'd recommend going back to what 
worked at 30mA, add the 2nd NST for 60mA, "don't" remove any caps, and 
simply fine tune the coil.

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

>Original poster: "Alan by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" 
><centauri010-at-attbi-dot-com>
>
>Hello everyone,
>I finally got my coil to run tonight. At first I ran it with a 15kv/30ma 
>NST with a .015uf swc. I got some sparks off the toroid but only about 
>6-8". So, I put 2 15/30ma nst's in parralel and removed 3 bottles from my 
>12 bottle geek group salt water cap. After that I could get no spark from 
>the toroid. SOmetime I got nothing and sometimes when I moved the tap in, 
>i got sparks but they all seemed to be going down my secondary. I kept 
>adjusting the tap looking for a good spot and then finally it "popped" and 
>then nothing would happen when I plugged it in. I'm praying I didn't break 
>the NST's but I'm afraid that might be it. Anyway, what was happening here?
>
>Thanks,
>Alan
>
>
>