Re: Why am I getting small sparks? Am I underpowered? (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:48:34 -0400
From: Crispy <crispy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Why am I getting small sparks? Am I underpowered? (fwd)

What are the details on your spark gap?  I made a similar coil, and had
a similar problem.  When I changed the fan to quench the spark gap to a
more powerful one, spark length improved from around 6" to around 4' .

Chris

On Fri, 2007-08-10 at 12:54 -0600, Tesla list wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:38:35 +0000
> From: Trevor Keast <trevor_keast@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Why am I getting small sparks? Am I underpowered?
> 
> Hi Guys,
>  
> I managed to reach 'first light' with my coil last night however I was unable to get the spark length that I was hoping for and feel I may be underpowered.
>  
> A basic overview of my coil is as follows:
>  
> 6 inch secondary diameter
> 24 inch secondary length
> approx 900 windings on secondary (24 AWG magnet wire)
> 13 Turns on primary made from 1/4 copper tube
> static spark gap
> beer bottle cap (14 bottles)
> 15,000V 30mA NST
> 4 inch dryer tube toroid (approx 12in diameter)
>  
> I tuned it as best I could but was unable to get sparks bigger than about 6 inches.  They were also quite dim and could hardly be seen unless in the dark.
>  
> I am wondering if I am underpowered?  How can I improve spark length?
>  
> I greatly appreciate any advice or comments.
>  
> Regards,
>  
> Trevor.
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