RE: Power Loss

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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

Ouch!  This sounds like dangerous advice.

With the original poster's 15/60 NST, your suggested .01uF cap would be
precisely mains-resonant.  If the gap were opened for maximum spark
length, that would surely result in higher than safe voltages for the
NST.  Spark performance would be impressive, though short-lived.  A half
inch wide gap is much too wide.

Spark performance is monotonically correlated to gap width; there is no
sweet spot.  The performance will increase as the gap is wider, until
either losses and NST Q allow no further mains resonant rise, or
something breaks down.  How do you tell when to stop closing the gap
based on performance?  It seems closing the gap would continue to reduce
the spark performance all the way down to zero.

Gary Lau
MA, USA

> Original poster: Jared E Dwarshuis <jdwarshui@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> Hi: Dennis
>
> If you switch to a .01uf tank capacitor you will be much happier with
> the power processed by your spark gap. You should be able to set your
> total gap width to around half an inch total.
>
> I set my gaps for maximum spark length, then close up the gap
> gradually until the spark length diminishes ever so slightly. This
> puts much less load on the fragile NST.
>
> When you set your variac at a higher voltage, the current likely went
> up as well. The current and inadequate gap distance kept your gap from
> quenching. My guess is that you cannot get your coil to work at all if
> you open up the gap with your .03uf capacitor.
>
> Naturally you will need another primary coil.
>
>
> good luck from: Jared Dwarshuis
>