Re: Can't get a good bang

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

Original poster: "john cooper" <tesla-at-tesla-coil-dot-com> 

Have you considered the 'ground effect' on the primary coil?  As a rule of 
thumb, I try to design my TC's so that the primary coil is 30 to 40 inches 
above the ground.  I believe Richard Hull discussed this on one of his 
Tesla tapes and if you can afford them, the full set is definitely worth 
the price (around 70 vhs tapes).


---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Date:  Fri, 21 May 2004 12:19:16 -0600

 >Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com>
 >
 >
 >The ability to "stretch" a streamer depends on the current in the streamer.
 >Large currents allow more streamer length after the initial strike.  Similar
 >to climbing arcs with 60 Hz transformers.
 >
 >With your tuning efforts you apparently have increased the available
 >current.
 >
 >Also, be sure to experiment with elevating the sec coil.  This fine tuning
 >of the coefficient of coupling factor will insure the longest sparks and the
 >best load-energy transfer this protecting your caps and xmfr.  Even small
 >amounts of gain will reduce the strain on your caps.
 >
 >Dr. Resonance
 >
 >Resonance Research Corporation
 >E11870 Shadylane Rd.
 >Baraboo   WI   53913
 >----- Original Message -----
 >From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 >To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 >Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 9:15 AM
 >Subject: Re: Can't get a good bang
 >
 >
 > > Original poster: "steve" <steve_vance-at-cablelynx-dot-com>
 > >
 > > Brett, Gerry,
 > >
 > > Thanks for the suggestions. I took a bolt and temporarily placed it
 >between
 > > the two electrodes. Made about a 15% increase in number of streamers. I
 >then
 > > placed a 10" stainless steel bowel on top of the toroid. After some tuning
 >I
 > > managed to squeeze out about 10" streamers into the air.( Time to make
 > > another gap and toroid) I made an observation that kind of puzzles me
 > > though. On my other two Tesla Coils I can stretch the streamers out with a
 > > grounded wire attached to a long pvc pipe. When this happens I only get
 >one
 > > bright, fat streamer. I could do this  with the small coil before the
 > > modifications. Now the streamers can't be stretched much farther than they
 > > extend into the air by themselves. When the streamer contacts the wire it
 > > gets brighter but, won't stretch. I also have several more coming out from
 > > all around the bowl. Seems like they are  not attracted to the ground wire
 > > anymore. Any explanations for this?
 > >
 > > Steve Vance
 > >
 > > ----- Original Message -----
 > > From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > > To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > > Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 9:15 AM
 > > Subject: Re: Can't get a good bang
 > >
 > >
 > >  > Original poster: Brett Miller <brmtesla2-at-yahoo-dot-com>
 > >  >
 > >  > Steve,
 > >  >
 > >  > I agree with the comments below.  Also, it appears
 > >  > that you are using a single gap.  Some of my recent
 > >  > work with disruptive coils seems to suggest strong
 > >  > evidence that mulitiple gaps are important for
 > >  > efficiency in a static gap.  Just something to
 > >  > consider.  I believe Dan Mccauley used multiple copper
 > >  > pipes in his Minikatz.
 > >  >
 > >  > In any case, you have a sharp looking coil and base.
 > >  > Keep up the good work and I'm sure the arcs will
 > >  > intensify.
 > >  >
 > >  > -Brett
 > >  >
 > >  >
 > >  > --- Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:
 > >  >  > Original poster: "Gerry Reynolds"
 > >  >  > <gerryreynolds-at-earthlink-dot-net>
 > >  >  >
 > >  >  > Hi Steve,
 > >  >  >
 > >  >  > I would try a larger toroid maybe 3x11 (experiment
 > >  >  > with this).  Also you
 > >  >  > should be able to charge 25nf with your power
 > >  >  > source.
 > >  >  >
 > >  >  > Gerry R
 > >  >  >
 > >  >  >  > Original poster: "steve"
 > >  >  > <steve_vance-at-cablelynx-dot-com>
 > >  >  >  >
 > >  >  >  > Hi list,
 > >  >  >  >
 > >  >  >  > I just got finished with my small 5-30 NST
 > >  >  > powered coil. I am getting
 > >  >  >  > streamers about 6-8" long into the air and, about
 > >  >  > 11" to a grounded wire.
 > >  >  >  > The problem is that they are thin and wispy. I
 > >  >  > believe the coil is in
 > >  >  > tune,
 > >  >  >  > If I move one turn in or out the streamer length
 > >  >  > decreases. The problem
 > >  >  >  > seems to be the spark gap. I'm not getting the
 > >  >  > usual loud bang that I get
 > >  >  > if
 > >  >  >  > I unhook the coil and run the transformer and
 > >  >  > caps on the gap by
 > >  >  > themselves.
 > >  >  >  > If I open the gap over about 5/16" when it is on
 > >  >  > the coil It won't arc at
 > >  >  >  > all. Without the coil I can open it up to about
 > >  >  > 3/8" and get a nice loud
 > >  >  >  > bang. What gives? I used 10AWG solid wire to
 > >  >  > connect everything. All the
 > >  >  >  > connections are soldered ring terminals. Any
 > >  >  > suggestions?  You can see it
 > >  >  >  > here
 > >  >  > http://fire.prohosting-dot-com/~bonestc/babycoil.html
 > >  >  >  >
 > >  >  >  > Steve Vance
 > >  >  >  >
 > >  >  >  >
 > >  >  >
 > >  >  >
 >
 >
 >