Re: Streamer Vs. Strike Distance Factor.

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Vardan <vardan01@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi,

> > > Hi All,
> > >
> > > I was working on the newer version of ScanTesla today.  Adding
> > > elevation and temperature to the streamer length stuff...   So us
> > > folks in Colorado won't have a 20% streamer length advantage
> > > anymore >:o))
>
> I can't help wondering where this alleged streamer length advantage
> comes from.

It comes from the math and the "scientific side".  I simplify the 
equations to just "linear" functions derived from things like this:

http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlux/hv/paschen.htm

For terrestrial stuff, air pressure and temperature are just "line" functions.

> When I designed coils for Dream Park Corp (which later
> morphed into "DiaboliCo" - they were selling them to Haunted Houses)
> we routinely received calls from customers at low altitude
> complaining that the streamer length was too long, and wanting to
> know how to turn it down.  None of them read the owner's manuals,
> apparently.

Hahahahahhaaha! ;-))

> (required adjusting the spark gaps, as we did not
> include variable transformers in any of our coils to keep costs down)
>
> After many of these calls, I found that our customers at lower
> altitude were routinely getting much _longer_ streamers than we were
> in Boulder!  I assumed it was due to altitude, but never really had
> the opportunity to test it out.

I heard you mention this once and ask this list about it.

http://www.pupman.com/listarchives/2005/Jun/msg00561.html

It was thought that the real effect was at the 'spark gap' raising 
the 'firing voltage'.  If we raise the firing voltage 20% then the 
'coil power' goes up 44%.  But the output arc is a SQRT thing so we 
are back to 20%  Then the output arc should 'also' be suppressed... 
20%...  So a net 0% increase in streamer length from Boulder to New 
Orleans....  A mystery exists there...

> Anybody got access to a room sized
> altitude chamber?  :D

Martin has one.  I got "connections", but the coil would have to be 
soaked in acetone or something so as not to contaminate it all 
up...  But we don't need it....  The SISG is super line power 
friendly, easily run off a UPS portable supply.  Extremely 
reproducible and stable electronics.  Here in Colorful Colorado we 
can just "drive the land yacht" from 5300 to 12183 in an hour or so.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/visit/weather/scenicdrives.html

This has been a four year old project now.  Maybe "someday", I will 
do it :o))  I have a fancy GPS "puck" that does +- 5 feet for 
elevation and all...

95% of the fun is going to the National Park Ranger's office 
explaining the experiment and getting their OK so they don't think we 
are terrorists :o))))))  Might have to be run inside the car so an 
elk bull does not give birth out of season or anything...  Have to 
'not'  blow up the car's 5 computers since it is a heck of a towing 
bill back down...

Cheers,

        Terry

>  - Bill "Gomez" Lemieux