RE: bulkheads / baffles in secondaries

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Garry Freemyer" <garryfre@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Yes, I have forgotten that I always have used just one baffle in my coils
because I figured that having two might trap ionized air inside a smaller
space that has exposure to the outside or to one end of the secondary.

So far, accepting the cup that crumbled, I've found that one good baffle is
all that is needed.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 4:21 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: bulkheads / baffles in secondaries

Original poster: "Gerry  Reynolds" <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Bill,

There are some in the group that say two solid baffles, one from each
end. I too worry about trapped fumes and I only put one 1/2 inch
thick solid acrylic baffel down from the top enough to support the
topload.  I do have another baffle at the top as an end cap with a
center hole to allow the support tube for the top load to enter.  It
may depend on what you use for a form whether two baffles are
necessary.  I use an acrylic form so its is a good insulator.  If you
use more than one baffle, you may want to have holes in the center to
allow ventilation.  At least the extra baffles will increase the
tracking distance.

Gerry R.

>Original poster: Gomez Addams <gomezaddams@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>This is addressed to those who have experience installing internal
>baffles or bulkheads in secondaries, for the purpose of preventing
>internal creepage sparks (internal racing arcs):
>
>I have never used internal baffles before, and have never seemed to
>need them on any of the secondaries I've built.  (although once,
>someone building secondaries for me for commercial sale at a company
>I was consulting for had racing arc problems, but I soon discovered
>they had decided to paint the secondary form with black paint "for
>looks" before winding it!)
>
>But now I am attempting to build one of the most robust, good-
>looking, and efficient / high-performing coils I've ever built,
>taking into account all the new developments which have turned up
>since I last built a coil, so I thought I'd go ahead and install
>baffles just for the heck of it.  I seriously doubt they'll do any
>harm, and if they'll make the secondary even more "mistake-resistant"
>then I'm all for it.
>
>So my main question is: do you typically install them while building
>the form, with holes in the center of each baffle for your winder
>shaft (assuming you use one), or do you wind the coil first, remove
>the end plates, install solid baffles, and replace the end plates, or
>what?
>
>Since I have a large enough lathe, I _could_ wind the form without a
>shaft going all the way through, but I prefer to use a shaft to
>provide support to the form.
>
>Also, I'm thinking it would be smart to leave holes for ventilation
>so things like glue fumes (after construction) and later, ozone, can
>escape the interior, so perhaps baffles with center openings are best?
>
>Opinions?
>
>  - Bill Lemieux
>
>
>
>