Re: Large Series Gap

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "David Rieben" <drieben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Aaron, Terry, all,

I talked with Cameron tonight and looked at the pics that he
posted. After seeing his pics I tend to agree with Terry that there 
may not be quite enough spacing in between the brass
electrodes but also, keep in mind that this is designed to be
a "series" gap, to be placed IN SERIES with the main rotary
gap to help further commutate the spark energy and AID in
the quenching, not bear the full load of the spark gap energy.
Richard Hull has mentioned the quenching advantages of using seriesed 
stationary gaps in combination with the main working rotary gap in 
high powered coil systems and from my personal experience, I agree. 
This is what Cameron is trying to achieve
with his large series stationary gap.
As far as proper spacing of stationary gap electrodes, I've
always tried to use the thickness of a credit card to prespace
them.
Also, Cameron, after looking closer at your series gap, I was
wondering how you managed to keep the spacing so parallel
with only one bolt securing each brass pipe?

David Rieben


----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 7:14 PM
Subject: Re: Large Series Gap


> 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
> >
> >
> >