LC and Misc Questions

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Original poster: "Wilson Ng" <metalstorm2002@xxxxxxxxxxx>


 LC and Misc Questions

  Hello list,

   I have a couple of questions that have stumped me. There are too
many postings to look through regarding these questions and I was
unable find postings with definite conclusions or the info was way
too scattered.

  (1) I've read that secondaries should have LD ratios of 3:1, 4:1,
      4.5:1, etc. Which one is the best? Is there any critical
      difference?

  (2) Enameled wire seems to be used exclusively. Why not stranded
      wire? It has better insulation and it is cheaper. It might
      also help reduce unwanted capacitance, which reduces voltage
      gain. For me, it actually worked better than magneet wire even
      though the sec. inductance is lower.

  (3) I've read various opinions about how large primary cap and
      inductance should be. What is the paradigm in determining
      the best values?

  (4) One program, TESLAN, calculates voltage gain using primary
      and secondary capacitances. Another program, TESLAC, calculates
      voltage gain usiing primary and secondary L's. Which one is a
      better predictor of voltage gain?

  (5) Are there adv./disadv. of using stacked primares or multiple primaries
      wired in parallel?

  About my current coil:

    My philosophy is that it is much better to experiment with a trashy
low power coil first and then move to a neatly made quality coil.

    sec. len. - 15 in.
    sec. dia. -  5 in.
    sec. wire - about 260 turns of #28 stranded computer cable wire
                made from discontinuous pieces of 11 ft each wrapped
                on plastic wrapped oatmeal box forms

    topload   - 2" x 6.5" made from cardboard, alu. foil, and tape

    primary - 6 turns of #14 awg solid wire wrapped around cereal box
           cardboard form measuring 5 in tall and 8 in wide. Taped at
           2nd turn.

    spark gap - L brackets or multiple screw gaps

    primary cap - 3 para. Rolled caps made from foil tape and thick
                trash bags. Now can withstand up to  7-8kv at LOW POWER
                ONLY!

    sec. spark len. - up to 5" snapping white with breakout

    power supply - (Don't laugh) An ignition coil driven by adjustable 14uf/
         28uf/42uf cap bank/dimmer combo with 
bridge rectified output. I have 4 ig.
         coils, but it's much better use one 
first. Higher power only hastens cap death.

    Except sec., setup is tightly packed in thick, small cardboard box.


    I would gladly accept suggestions that can improve spark length.

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