Re: Large Series Gap

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "J. Aaron Holmes" <jaholmes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

A sort of related question:  I've always wondered what
the quenching is like in this style of gap.  If the
spark jumps near the fan end of the electrodes, won't
it just tend to be blown along the surface of the
electrodes rather than blown out quickly?
Intuitively, the "active quenching" seems a lot less
"active" in this configuration (to me).  I'd be
especially worried at pig-power levels about getting
something akin to a Jacob's ladder going in there.
Very high air volume seems like a must for something
bigger than a NST.

I've had good luck at the 1-2kVA level using a
dual-gap "leaf blower" gap (two pairs of brass pipes
pointed at each other, end-to-end, with air blowing
through them).  Lots of air flow is a must!  On the
positive side, I've observed that brass electrodes
seem to live good long lives at these powers, provided
your coil is tuned well.

Regards,
Aaron, N7OE

--- Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Original poster: Vardan
> <vardan01@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Hi,
>
> The gaps look way too close to me.  I just space
> them with a number
> of playing cards.  This might help, but I am not
> sure what the
> spacing should be.
>
> http://hot-streamer.com/TeslaCoils/Misc/terrygap.jpg
>
> Cheers,
>
>          Terry
>
>
>
>
> At 04:43 PM 8/10/2006, you wrote:
> >Hey guys,
> >
> >I've been working on a large series gap for my pole
> pig driven coil and I
> >have a few questions.
> >
> >My prototype can be seen here:
> >
>
>http://www.teslauniverse.com/members/cprince/images/seriesgap/
> >
> >It's using five 2.25 inch O.D. brass nipples for
> four gaps maximum. My main
> >concern is the gap distance. As you will see in the
> photos, a standard sheet
> >of paper will just barely slide between some of the
> gaps. The others are
> >slightly wider. I tried my best to maintain
> tolerances, but it's very
> >difficult to drill the 7.25 inch PVC couple
> properly even with a press.
> >
> >My other concerns are the number of gaps. Is four
> going to be enough?
> >
> >Any thoughts, suggestions or feedback would be
> greatly appreciated.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Cameron
>
>
>