Re: Spark gap

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Harold Weiss" <hweiss@xxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Steven,

The spark from a primary circuit is a lot more powerful.  It is as bright 
as a welding arc or arc spotlight.

> Original poster: "Steven Steele" <sbsteele@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Coincidentally, I allready bought the copper pipe and made the spark gap 
> yesterday.
> I didn't actually get copper pipe but rather copper pipe connectors, which 
> are about 1 and 1/8" in diameter and about 2" long. I bought 8 of them and 
> have them lined up in series.( they wouldn't fit in the PVC) I don't have 
> any way of cooling them yet, but I'm a clever boy, I think I'll figure 
> something out. I don't really think I even need to cool it, seing as how I 
> don't plan on keeping it on for very long.
>    Also, I've tried to melt a soda can with this transformer before, or 
> mybe it was a different one. I couldn't do it. I'll just have to try 
> again. ;^}>
>
>                    Steven Steele
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 10:34 AM
> Subject: Re: Spark gap
>
>
> > Original poster: "Harold Weiss" <hweiss@xxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Another thing with soda cans is the melting point of the aluminum.  There 
> > is also the possibility of setting the aluminium on fire with the heavy 
> > current arcs.  Metal fires can be hard to put out.
> >
> > David E Weiss
> >
> > > Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > >
> > >
> > > Soda cans are too large.  You need some 1/2 inch OD (3/8 inch ID) straight
> > > copper pipe --- not tubing which always has some curvature.
> > >
> > > You can buy a straight copper pipe at a plumbing shop.  Some shops might
> > > have some "cut-offs" 2-3 feet long which would be perfect to use for the
> > > copper tubes.  De-bur the ends with a file and sandpaper to encourage
> > > sparking along the length of the tube.
> > >
> > > You may need a machinist with a milling machine to do the layout for the
> > > fastener holes --- you want the pipes to be as parallel as possible and a
> > > mill makes it a snap.  Two fastener holes per tube holds them in perfect
> > > parallel alignment.  The machine shop instructor at your school can help you
> > > with this.
> > >
> > > 7-8 tubes inside a 6 inch dia. PVC tube with a 75-100 CFM fan below it works
> > > very wall with a 12/30 or 15/30 xmfr.  Use duct tape to shape the airflow
> > > from the fan to the tube but keep it away from the HV.
> > >
> > > Dr. Resonance
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Would soda cans make a good replacement for copper pipes in the 
> > > spark >  >
> > > gap?
> > > > Or should I just go out and buy the pipes? I ask because i'm
> > > operating >  > on
> > > a
> > > > budget here. I almost just had my school pay for for the 
> > > capacitors, > > but
> > > my
> > > > parents said that they could afford $54 dollars.( originally we
> > > thaught >  > I
> > > > would need 45 capacitors at about $3 a peice) :) Thanks again Dr.
> > > Resonance.
> > > >                                                 Steven Steele
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >