Racing sparks vs. primary design

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Steve Conner <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi all

The discussion between John Freau and Jim Mora got me thinking.

I have been wondering for a while whether the voltage profile on the 
secondary is determined by the shape of the primary. I think a little 
solenoid primary that hugs the bottom of the secondary will induce most 
voltage in the bottom of the secondary. Because of its small size, the 
field is very intense near to the primary coil and dies away quickly with 
distance, so it will roast the bottom of the secondary while hardly 
touching the top.

Hence I expect it will give racing sparks sooner than a large diameter 
solenoid, cone, or pancake that "throws" the field further up and spreads 
it more evenly over the secondary. Even if both primaries had the same 
overall coupling coefficient.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Steve Conner