Re: Arc welder as pig ballast not working right

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Original poster: "seanick" <edgarsbat@xxxxxxxxxxx>

I notice the long trailing arcs on the electrodes if the coil is 
running almost in tune but with the electrodes at the wrong 
positioning, but if i adjust the rotation it generally clears up and 
gets longer arcs from the topload.
but if I raise the power level, both the long arcs in the gap, and 
the arcs off the topload, stop altogether, and just have a popping 
sound as though a plasma bubble burst - the average power used goes 
up, but there doesn't seem to be any outlet that displays where the 
power is going. - except maybe the electrodes since that is usually 
when they get so hot that they start melting the plexi disc and 
getting loose, then flying off into the distance at a random direction.

I have stopped running the coil until I know what the problem is. too 
dangerous and expensive. but regardless of what else I will need to 
fix, does anyone have any larger electrodes, like 3/8" they would be 
willing to part with? I only need 4 of them, an inch or so long 
each... 8 if I replace the stationary ones too.
also what about caps, anyone have any extra hv caps or know of good 
deals on them, the cornell dubilier 3kvdc .1 uf polyprop's that I 
bought before aren't being sold anymore.. only .047 uF...

thanks
NICK

----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 4:32 PM
Subject: Re: Arc welder as pig ballast not working right


> Original poster: FutureT@xxxxxxx
> Seanick,
>
> When the coil behaves in a staccato fashion, is it a smooth
> drifting in and out of phase as if the spark gradually waxes
> and wanes, or does it have a sudden fast spark cut-off and
> turn-on?   If it's a smooth effect, this could be because
> the rotary gap is dropping out of sync when you draw more
> power.   I doubt that's happening but thought I'd mention it.
>
> You aren't seeing any spark follow-around or spark trailing
> at the rotary electrodes are you?  This would signify power-arcing
> and very poor quenching.
>
> John