RE: Static Spark Gap

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Jim Mora" <jmora@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Glen,

It may or may not need to be said that the arc should be observed using arc
eye protection.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 7:40 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Static Spark Gap

Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson" <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Glen,

Yes, the NST and spark gap alone will set the "safe" arc voltage for
the NST. The closer the cap is to the resonant value, the higher the
bps will be, however, the arc voltage will not change for all
practical purposes. To answer your last question, pay attention to
the arc characteristics when setting the NST and spark gap up. Then
when the full circuit is hooked up to the coil, look at the
characteristics of the arc at the spark gap. It will be far louder
and brighter than with just the NST and spark gap alone.

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

>Original poster: "Glen McGowan" <glen.mcgowan@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>First the general question, Does every arc "Beat"?
>
>I've got a 15/60 NST and an .0094uf MMC. I know it's not LTR, thats
>my problem. It's possible to adjust my SG  so that the voltage is
>safe for the NST (at cost of spark length). But I'm sure how I'd go
>about doing this.  Should I hook up the NST to the SG by itself (No
>MMC) and adjust until I get a nice consistant spark? and if I do it
>this way how would the MMC build up a charge if the Gap fires at the
>voltage comfortable for the NST?  Which lead to my initial question,
>How can I tell if the arc is "beating" or just arcing?. How will I
>know if I'm charging and discharging my caps?
>
>
>
>