Re: tesla virgin no more ! but need help

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

Original poster: Bart Anderson <classi6-at-classictesla-dot-com> 

Hi Steven,

Congrats on your first light!
more below:

Tesla list wrote:

>Original poster: "steven hyman" <steve502-at-bellsouth-dot-net>
>I have been building my first coil (Researched this lists archives for 
>over a month ,along with all the websites Thanks), and had first sparks
>on Saturday  WOW!!!, about  15 inches, but having some problems, I cannot 
>figure out, and need some expert advise
>
>    Spark gap , static type with 6 ,1" diameter x2" long copper pipes laid 
> out flat, gap spacing about 1mm  with fan
>.  MMC with 2 strings 12 each string(24total of 1600kv .15uf poly's.Total 
>value .025 uf ??? ( can someone check this)
>     I am presently powering this coil with 15/30 NST

.0125uf per string if 12 caps of 0.15uF:
if both strings are connected in parallel: .025uF
If both strings are connected in series: .00625uF

>first light was great, ran the coil 10-15 short runs 12-24 inch 
>sparks.   Then the  spark gap would only fire for about a second and stop, 
>after inspecting the MMC realized I had burned 2 caps up ( big holes in 
>two caps together in series), I replaced these caps, and added 3 more per 
>string( now qty 15- .15uf 1600kv each per string x 2 strings)) but same 
>problem, after some evals, my present  situation remains the same , if I 
>remove the parallel connection between the 2 strings of 15 caps, and use 
>each string alone, the gap fires ( but no sparks from top load( I can get 
>spark from topload with breakout), but if I reconnect the 2 strings of 
>caps , same problem, gap only fires for about a second or two, and 
>nothing, I have tried the coil using a smaller NST (9/30 )   and the coil 
>works well all components working with about 15" sparks.

How much spacing do you have between caps?
What type of caps (p/n)?

>4" secondary 1050 turns ,24awg, 21.5 " coil length
>12 turn primary 1/4 od, 1/4 spacing( tuned at about 7 turns)
>
>I suspect the MMC  configuration, but cannot figure this out !! I thought 
>15 x1600kv caps would suffice for a 15/30 nst (15 x 1600=24kv
>any help would be greatly appreciated
>
>Steve

I suspect the MMC as well. It could be mechanical in nature, cap type, or 
possibly connection. More info would be helpful.
Take care,
Bart