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Re: streamer output - toroids vs. spheres
Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson" <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Excellent observation Miles!
You described the sphere phenomenon perfectly. You'll see the spiral
sword spark at the top of the sphere. The reason for the single spark
is sphere size (radius of curvature). Toroids can also do the same if
they are smooth and large enough. But, they will never exhibit the
sword spiral as a sphere can do. Your also correct that sphere's are
hard to get right.
There's a reason the sphere can do this. It's similar to a jacobs
ladder spark moving up the ladder. Thermal influence. A toroid pretty
much says "ok, breakout and go to whatever it can find" and a sphere
says "ok, breakout and do the same, but now there is vertical area
and that area just happens to allow the spark to follow thermal
heating which maximizes at the top of the sphere as the spark follows
it's course". It's the spark channel that causes the heat in the
first place. It is simply following the path and must end it's path
at the top of the sphere. Note how the spark channel follows the
turbulence at the top making the spark appear to spiral on it's way out.
Take care,
Bart
PS: now light a little candle on top of the sphere and run the coil!
Tesla list wrote:
Original poster: mileswaldron@xxxxxxxxxxx
It seems that everyone is using toroids as toploads these days. I
admit tuning a coil with a toroid is much easier than tuning a coil
with a sphere; however, there is one remarcable difference in
streamer output that I have noticed. This type of streamer output is
so *AMAZING* that I don't like toroids, and prefer spheres.
What I see happen with a tuned in sphere, with careful and painful
adjustments, is that I can get exactly 1 streamer rolling around the
top of the ball. The streamer will eventually settle itself down on
the top of the ball and start "reaching" upwards. The end of the
streamer licks and curls around in a shape that I cannot describe,
going inside itself in fractal looking loops. It will stand there
doing this for quite some time. It is a beautiful site to see. My 3"
diameter coil can project a 42" streamer upwards using a single 12-60 NST.
This is a simple observation about topload shape that I hope will
foster some interesting commentary.
Miles