Re: Safety Gap =

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

Original poster: "Gary  Weaver" <gary350-at-earthlink-dot-net> 

I built my caps almost bullet proof.  They are all rated 40,000. volts each.
I want my coil to be maintenance free.  I think overkill is better than a
DEAD cap that has to be replaced.  I have not used safety gaps in so long I
have forgotten that people use them.  I assume it would be wise to use a
safety gap on caps that need the protection.  Richard Hall once said if you
build your caps with a voltage rating of 2.5 times the transformer voltage
safety gaps are not necessary.  After loosing a few caps I took his advise
and built all my caps 40KV rating and I have not lost a cap sence.




----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: Safety Gap =


 > Original poster: Bart Anderson <classi6-at-classictesla-dot-com>
 >
 > Hi Gary,
 > (you knew I'd reply, didn't you),
 >
 > Tesla list wrote:
 >
 > >Original poster: "Gary  Weaver" <gary350-at-earthlink-dot-net>
 > >If you adjust the safety gap so it won't fire then it doesn't do anything
so
 > >why have it.
 >
 > 1) If static gap:
 >     a) accidently adjusted too wide.
 >     b) electrodes wore down (not realizing mass is a good thing).
 >     c) accidently mis-wired something.
 >     d) I didn't care about C, it's too small, threw 10,000VA to it, burned
 > up within seconds.
 >     e) being human, mistakes happen, sometimes costly.
 >
 > 2) If rotary gap:
 >     a) forgot to turn motor on before powering up system.
 >     b) something odd occurs with the disc.
 >     c) rotary adjusted too wide.
 >     d) accidently mis-wired something.
 >     e) being human, mistakes happen, sometimes costly.
 >
 > Pretty much, because "?" happens when we least expect it, and a choke
isn't
 > going to save a cap or tranny from these "?".
 > I use one because I'm prone to error. Probably a good idea for new coilers
 > as well I expect. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that screws up now
 > and then.
 >
 > But Gary, I understand your reasoning.
 >
 > Take care,
 > Bart
 >
 > >   If you adjust the safety gap so it fires then it takes power
 > >away from your coil and the discharge sparks get shorter don't want that
 > >either.  A choke coil provides all the protection needed to protect the
 > >transformer from feedback so the safety gaps are a waste of time.
 > >
 > >Gary Weaver
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > >----- Original Message -----
 > >From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > >To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > >Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2004 5:04 PM
 > >Subject: Re: Safety Gap
 > >
 > >
 > > > Original poster: Bart Anderson <classi6-at-classictesla-dot-com>
 > > >
 > > > Ok, I have to ask.
 > > > Why did you stop using safety gaps?
 > > >
 > > > Take care,
 > > > Bart
 > > >
.........