RE: Large Series Gap

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Cameron B. Prince" <cplists@xxxxxxxxxx>

Hey guys,

Bart, I think David's response will help ease your mind regarding using the
series gap as the only gap in the system. As he points out, this will be in
series with the ARSG shown here:

http://www.teslauniverse.com/members/cprince/images/DSC01677-m.jpg

I have been using the ARSG by itself with good results. I'm running the
system at about 60A and regularly get 12 foot streamers to ground. They are
somewhat thin however. After viewing the TCBOR tapes and speaking with
David, I decided to follow Richard Hull's advice and try the series gap
also.

Bart, could you explain how you arrived at the 0.25" mark for the combined
gap width based on the pipe size?

I went ahead and mounted the series gap in the coil tonight and connected
it. I plan to test the system tomorrow. What type of symptoms should I
expect if the gaps are not wide enough? I do have an extra PVC couple that I
can re-drill for wider gaping.

David, to answer your question, if you look at the side view you will see
that there are actually two bolts in each pipe:

http://www.teslauniverse.com/members/cprince/images/seriesgap/DSC02816.JPG

Thanks to everyone for the input,

Cameron


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:16 PM
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Large Series Gap
>
> 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
> > >
> > >
> > >