Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson" <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Hi Curt,I run all sorts of different configurations, mostly just for fun. I try to meet three main functions. The first is to attain a given capacitance for the resonator, and the second is to shield the top secondary windings to prevent breakout from the top winding, and the third is field control (where the sparks are going).
Breakout from the double-stack toroids are interesting. For example, a couple weeks ago I ran my small 4.5" with a double-stack consisting of a 4.5" x 15" and a 4.5" x 19.5" toroids (15" on bottom). Both have the same minor diameter and you might at first expect the smaller to be the main breakout terminal. Well, with low voltage it was. But as I increased voltage, the larger top terminal becomes the main breakrate terminal (I should note that by increased voltage the breakrate is increasing as I was using a static gap). Just one of those interesting physics things.
As far as advantage, I'm not convinced there are any. I think double stacks are more often used because of the terminal sizes on hand (or this is what you built, so you use it). If you have a properly sized toroid for the coil, one will do excellent for long sparks (properly sized is easier said than done). As a matter of fact, I'd even say that a single toroid cannot be beat with an equivalent double-stack. BTW, a double-stack toroid is not the same as a single toroid using a corona ring. Even for a single toroid, it is often advantageous to use a corona ring to prevent secondary breakout as well as unwanted corona. But, there's no denying that running a double-stack is often fun business and certainly worthy when all you have on hand is "this size, and that size.".
Take care, Bart Tesla list wrote:
Original poster: "C. Sibley" <a37chevy@xxxxxxxxx> Speaking of toroids and top loads, what is the advantage of using two toroids, larger one on top with the smaller below? I see this configuration on may coils and don't understand the reason. Curt. --- Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Original poster: "Gerry Reynolds" > <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > > Hi Christopher, > > What a work of art. Im envious of those toroids > :-)) Im curiouis > about the odd shaped lower toroid. > > Gerry R > > >Original poster: "Hooper, Christopher AZ" > <christopher.az.hooper@xxxxxxxxx> > > > > > >Good day great coilers, > > > >I thought I would share my newest creation, a > 10kwatt DRSSTC @ > >http://users.cableaz.com/~chooper/images/fatboy1wred.jpg > . > > > >Since I use plexy, I thought embedding high output > UV LED's would be > >cool and looks like a spark gap running from the > distance @ > >http://users.cableaz.com/~chooper/images/fatboyblue.jpg > . > > > >Little red DRSSTC (ran at the Cheesehead)is in > front of new DRSSTC for > >comparison, as the 10kwatter is almost 8 feet. 120 > caps for the MMC and > >is fan cooled as I push my MMC's to melt down....he > he. First light is > >this weekend.....then off to the 48kwatter > DRSSTC...... first step of > >the 48kwatter is the 9 foot by 3 foot secondary. > 48kwatter DRSSTC will > >also use a big, very big MMC; start soldering iron > up indeed (maybe 500 > >caps or so) > > > > > >Rgs, > >Christopher robin > > > > > >