Secondary Output Current

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Chris Fanjoy" <zappyman@xxxxxxxxxxx>

  What determines the current output of a VTTC secondary, anyway? 
The reason I ask is becaused I discovered something last night while 
working on my coil. I was finally starting to get some decent output, 
but the secondary started arcing to the grid feedback winding. So I 
moved the grid winding down the form, closer to the primary winding. 
It seemed to solve the arcing problem, but I noticed something quite 
remarkable; the output sparks were now very thick and hot - similar 
to that of an oil burner transformer. Output current, by my guess, 
would be around 20mA if not more - no doubt very deadly to come in 
contact with!
  So does the spacing between the primary and grid windings, have 
something to do with the current output? A thinner arc would be 
preferable for looks, and no doubt somewhat safer to be working with.
  Thanks for any advice.