Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:09:52 -0700
From: huil888 <huil888@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)

Nathan -

Now I'm even more confused!!

You stated that the coil that triggered the explosion of several pressurized
paint cans had an input power level of 125VA. This would mean that the HV
transformer powering the coil was a 4KV, 20 or 30 ma NST, or something very
similar. And you were somehow getting 26 inch streamers out of this coil?
Something is wrong here ....

There is absolutely no way that a 125VA input power spark gap Tesla coil is
going to generate 26" streamers. Period. It's a physical impossibility.

Is there any chance that you may have made a mistake here?

Scott Hanson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2007 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)


>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:58:42 -0700
> From: Nathan Stokely <50kva.54uf.750a@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)
>
> The input power level of my coil was 125VA.
> The streamer length was approximately 26 inches.
> The streamer made contact on the seam of the can where the aluminum is
> connect when it is rolled into a can. The strike appeared to break the
> weld
> which holds the can together.
> I used to always keep my spray paint on the concrete floor. Now I keep it
> in
> a wood cabinet.
> I have witnessed this twice in my garage, but I have a friend who has had
> this happen more often.
>
> On 8/11/07, Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:30:27 -0700
>> From: huil888 <huil888@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>> Subject: Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)
>>
>> Nathan -
>>
>> You wrote about the danger of aerosol containers "bursting" due to
>> strikes
>> from Tesla coil streamers. Further, you noted that you have encountered
>> this
>> "most often" with spray maint, implying that you have experienced burst
>> containers multiple times.
>>
>> Can you provide more details on your experiences?
>>
>> 1. What was the input power level of the coil, in VA?
>> 2. What was the streamer length that contacted the cans?
>> 3. Where on the can did the streamer make contact (and I assume melt a
>> hole
>> through the steel shell)?
>> 4. Were the cans sitting on a grounded metal shelf, wooden shelf, cement
>> floor, etc.
>> 5. How many times have you personally witnessed bursting/flaming cans?
>>
>> If pressurized spray pain cans can indeed explode when contacted by Tesla
>> coil streamers, then all coilers who run their coils in their garages or
>> workshops should be made aware of  this danger.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Scott Hanson
>>
>> I'm very interested in understanding the specific conditions that
>> triggered
>>
>> (snip)
>> > Also, strikes to aerosol containers (such as bug spray, spray paint, or
>> >
>> > anything else you have where you operate your coil) can cause the
>> > hydrocarbon fuel in the aerosol to rapidly expand bursting the can and
>> > causing a flash fire. I have encountered this with spray paint the most
>> > often. The can will explode and then the paint (which burns hot) flies
>> > everywhere and can catch your garage on fire. Always stay away from
>> > aerosols
>> and fuels while operating a coil.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>