Re: gmheicslr --- uh oh...once again!

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

Original poster: "Jim Mitchell" <electrontube-at-sbcglobal-dot-net> 

Yes, I also got good results from the same system.  I was thinking of using
two HEI coils, mounted in a wood case with two frankenstein looking like
terminals on top.  That would make quite a nice desk display with a 10" arc
flying between the points.  It seems when I upped the breakdown voltage,
the spark didn't get longer,  but brighter (more current).  I couldn't get
more then 5" out of a single coil with a 1uf 1200v cap bank.

Steve,  did you get those bigger sidacs I mentioned?  I was trying some of
the smaller ones, and after about 60 shots,  they failed (short circuit).

Regards - Jim Mitchell

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 6:44 PM
Subject: RE: gmheicslr --- uh oh...once again!


 > Original poster: "Steven Ward" <srward16-at-hotmail-dot-com>
 >
 > I actually did achieve over 13" sparks from a HEIC, but it was not the
 > spec'd one, so i will not try and claim anything on that, other than i
 > think its possible to get more ;-).
 >
 > Anyway, about solid state stuff, check this out:
 >
 > http://hot-streamer-dot-com/srward16/HVpulser.htm
 >
 > So far my best spark is 5" from a normal "can" type coil with the core
 > still in it ;)  The charging voltage was 1200V on that shot.  The sidacs
 > are used as a solid state spark gap.  On the 5" spark i had 5 series 240V
 > 1Arms 20Apk sidacs.  The coil then broke down on the plastic insulator on
 > the top of the coil.  I also got 7" between 2 coils easily.  This is a
 > minimal effort project that i put together in literally a few
 > minutes.  When i happen across a REAL HE coil, i will remove the core and
 > start over using sidacs this time ;).  Until then, im still playing with
 > IGBTs and real TCs ;)
 >
 > Steve
 >
 >
 > >From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > >To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
 > >Subject: gmheicslr --- uh oh...once again!
 > >Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 07:43:48 -0700
 > >
 > >Original poster: Brett Miller <brmtesla2-at-yahoo-dot-com>
 > >
 > >John et. all,
 > >
 > >Actually the General Motors High Energy Ignition Coil
 > >Spark Length Record (GMHEICSLR) involved the actual
 > >breaking of a world record for the longest spark
 > >produced by a Wells C834 (or OEM replacement part)
 > >Ignition coil.  The coil was around 18 dollars and
 > >work directed toward beating Terry's record (which he
 > >has held for some time and still holds -- along with
 > >me now) could get expensive quickly since it usually
 > >involved destructive failure of several coils.
 > >
 > >Terry will correct me if I'm wrong, but since the
 > >contest was also a world record, it was (and still is)
 > >open to all, not just members of the TCML.  If you
 > >have the time and money, go for the gold!  There is a
 > >message in the archives documenting my tie with Terry
 > >after atmospheric pressure differences were taken into
 > >account.  I achived several single shot point to point
 > >arcs measured around 11.75 (possibly 12) inches, and
 > >after atmospheric differences between our respective
 > >altitudes were considered, it was declared a tie and
 > >Terry mailed me the trophy for my turn.  I would be
 > >glad to mail it out to anyone that can best our spark
 > >lengths.  The rules are still probably on Sam's site,
 > >but I haven't checked in a while.
 > >
 > >http://www.powerlabs-dot-org/gmheicslr.htm
 > >
 > >Terry has a really good idea about this, and I have a
 > >few myself, but right now I haven't the time or the
 > >money to put something together.  Maybe I will later
 > >on in the coming months.  Regardless, it would be
 > >really fun to see someone breath fire into this
 > >mothballed contest.  I'm sure it will happen sooner or
 > >later and result in some real fun.
 > >
 > >In the meantime, here's the gap I constructed using
 > >1/8 inch tungsten rod, lexan, and a couple of bolts
 > >from the junk box:
 > >
 > >http://hot-streamer-dot-com/brett/gmheicslr/pics/tungsten_gap.jpg
 > >
 > >In this photo you can see my 1st setup easily firing a
 > >discharge across an 8 inch gap.  Notice the apparent
 > >slight flourescence on the lexan frame of the spark
 > >gap in the lower left hand corner of the pic:
 > >
 > >http://hot-streamer-dot-com/brett/gmheicslr/pics/8inch2.jpg
 > >
 > >Here's a different 8 inch arc, this time zoomed in a
 > >bit...note the branching there, in the single shot
 > >discharge.
 > >
 > >Ok, well maybe this will be "cool" enough to some
 > >people to provoke motivation toward trying to win this
 > >thing.  I would say that a lot of research needs to be
 > >done toward determining an optimum topload (I think
 > >Sam mentioned that years ago, but never followed up).
 > >Manly though, I think given the characteristics of
 > >this coil, a radical decision to abandon traditional
 > >TC (disruptive) tank circuit design in favor of solid
 > >state development might be advantageous...like in the
 > >OLTC direction if you catch my drift.  Uh oh.  I may
 > >have just given away some secrets here.  Terry and I
 > >had a brief email discussion about this, but it seemed
 > >as though he was busy with his own stuff, so I dare
 > >say we both won't be getting to the gmheicslr any time
 > >soon.
 > >
 > >In any case...my intention was that *someone* out
 > >there is carrying an interest that will be piqued by
 > >this message.
 > >
 > >Best Wishes.
 > >
 > >-Brett    KI4DBK
 > >http://www.hot-streamer-dot-com/brett
 > >
 > >--- Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:
 > > > Original poster: "John Richardson" <jprich-at-up-dot-net>
 > > >
 > > > Hi Dan,
 > > >
 > > > I believe that Terry and Sam Barros had a friendly
 > > > competition going on a
 > > > while back.  Check out www.powerlabs-dot-org and there
 > > > is some mention of it.
 > > >
 > > > John Richardson
 >
 >