Re: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Steve Ward <steve.ward@xxxxxxxxx>

Your 4kv 20ma NSTs failed because you set the gap to .2" which is WAY
too big for a 4kv NST.  My 4kv 36mA mini coil used a gap on the order
of .05" gap spacing and produced 13" sparks.  No wonder they failed
with a .2" spacing....

Steve

On 5/18/05, Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Original poster: <dgoodfellow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> I have not had a failure on any neon trans other than this type of
> transformer. Even decades ago, when I was using poorly made components and
> had my spark gap open to 3/4" and I got a whopping 10" arc off my small
> topload on my first coil, powered by a 15/30. The worst of all design
> features, and I didn't loose an nst. Years go by and I am looking for a
> suitable substitute for the france 4/20 during the start of the mini coil
> competetion days, and I bought 4 of these epoxy encapsulated
> (secondary)transformers, out of which 3 failed, rather quickly. They failed
> while using them in the Tesla coil that I built specifically for this
> transformer. That is to say that the coil was built and complete, I had
> gone through the tuning stage, found the best tune point and was operating
> the coil with the gap open to about .200" and no variac to bring the
> voltage higher than the wall outlet provides.  The only reason I credit the
> 4th one for not failing is that I never took it out of its wrapper. I don't
> mean to argue with anyone's reasoning, but I do not think that these
> particular transformers can be compared to other core and coil nst's  made
> by France, Jefferson, Magnetec, Transco or any other manufacturer that I
> left out. With that in mind, I believe that it is fair to say that the
> causes for other transformers failing should not be directly related to why
> these transformers fail. They are not mid point grounded like other neons,
> nor are they grounded on side of the output. While the arc that they
> produce when the leads are brought closely together look more like a 10/23
> than a 6500/25 as were the ones that I bought, I will say once again that I
> got great performance from my coil while it worked, but the transformers
> did not last. I have 1 transformer left. If anyone has a circuit that keeps
> these transformers happy and working, I am all ears! Other than that, I
> plan to take the original secondary off, and make my own secondary winding
> on the core....one day :-)
>
> Dave Goodfellow
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 7:53 PM
> Subject: Re: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer
>
> >Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> >
> >Now you know why it failed.
> >
> >Any cap used with a xmfr with only the leads for inductance will generate a
> >mhz signal or higher --- something the xmfr was not designed to handle. The
> >HF currents use capacitive reactance to easily penetrate most good
> >insulations including mylar, glass, etc.  It forms a capacitor between
> >layers and uses displacement currents to burrow right thru.
> >
> >Dr. Resonance
> > >
> > >  From what I remember, they only use a choke to limit RF back to the
> > > transformer.
> > >
> > > Matt,
> > >
> > > Your quickest solution to this would be to go out a buy a good used neon
> > > sign transformer, 10 Kv at 30 mA.  When you connect it to your system,
> >make
> > > sure that your tesla coil primary is not grounded as this would 
short > out
> > > half of the transformer.  I believe that the BTC3 does use a grounded
> >primary.
> > >
> > > Information Unlimited might replace the transformer, I don't know > 
because
> > > I've never returned anything to them, but they seem resonable.
> > >
> > > Shaun Epp
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 8:50 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer
> > >
> > >
> > > >Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >What type of protective circuit did you employ between the power
> > xmfr > >and
> > > >the oscillator tank circuit?
> > > >
> > > >Dr. Resonance
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 6:25 PM
> > > >Subject: Problems with Information Unlimited transformer
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Original poster: Lkeen89@xxxxxxx
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm building the BTC3 Tesla coil from Information Unlimited, and
> >tonight
>
>