RE: Power output loss

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>

Hi Dennis:

It's unusual for performance to go down as the Variac goes up.

I note you're using a .03uF cap with a 15/60 NST.  When I tried that, I
found the mains current draw to be enormous and would quickly trip the
breakers.  But I also note you're using a much narrower gap than I had
used, and I would have guessed that this would have helped.  What size
Variac are you using?  Could you be in a situation that the Variac is
severely under-rated, and it just gets progressively worse as you crank
it up?  With a .02uF cap, I pulled over 20A, and comparably more with
the .03uF.

I don't know if this would explain it, but do you have forced air
through your gap?  Perhaps if you don't, it tends to power arc rather
than quench.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> Original poster: otmaskin5@xxxxxxx
>
> I could use some advice.  Recently, I'getting a significant drop in
> output as I dial up the variac.  I start getting sparks at the 80v
> setting, as usual.  But then, as I increase the variac voltage, the
> coil doesn't increase spark output proportionately as it used
> to.  Might even decrease at higher variac settings ~120-130v.
>
> I'm running a 15/60 powered RQ type static gap coil with a 0.03uF
> Maxwell pulse capacitor.
> The RQ is set at 6 gaps X 0.03" each for a total gap spacing of 0.18"
> which seems conservative.
>
> Went back & verified all connections are tight & no wires near each
> other or near anything.  Couldn't find any signs of arcing or
> shorts.  NST checks out OK - both legs.
>
> The only thing I could find was some scorching on the safety gap -
> both the left & right terminals & grounded teminal.  I've never
> observed the safety gap firing, but it's location makes it a little
> hard to see. Plus it's near the spark gap which I try to avoid
> looking at.  (I've thought of putting colored glass/plastic over the
> safety gap to make firing more noticeable without looking directly at
> the lower deck).
>
> Anyway, I set the safety gap to the first adjustment point where they
> wouldn't fire with just the NST connected.
>
> Maybe corona causing premature firing?  I'm kind of stumped.  Any
> ideas would be appreciated.  Thx
>
> Dennis Hopkinton, MA
>