Re: Question on Variac lighting

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Original poster: "D.C. Cox" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxx>



Output would be the same with regards to potential (this depends on 
two physics equations and is independent of power input) but the 
spark would be shorter due to slow "plasma growing" of the spark 
channels with reduced available power.

Dr. Resonance



> A question on your point Dr R.  If you're overcapped for the 
> transformer you have, as with the coiler who posted this question, 
> and there's not enough mA to to charge the cap fast enough to 
> produce sparks at low variac settings, does this condition 
> necessarily hinder top end performance?  Or does it just raise the 
> point at which the variac setting initially produces sparks?
>
> In other words, I don't car whether my coil only lights up at 50% 
> variac or even higher, can I still potentially get near peak 
> performance with the variac at or near max with an larger than 
> needed capacitor?