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

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:24:57 -0400
From: Daniel Kline <daniel_kline@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Why am I getting small sparks? Am I underpowered? (fwd)



Tesla list wrote:

> One thing that concerns me is the size of the spark gap.  I am currently
> running the spark gap at approx 1/2 inch which sounds like it is far too
> big from what people are telling me on here.  I have tried reducing it
> down to 1/4 inch but when I do that I don't get any sparks and it hardly
> makes any noise when its running.
>  
> Even with the large spark gap size the spark gap doesn't seem to get very
> hot.  I have been running my coil in about 10 second bursts and the spark
> gap terminals are only warm to the touch after that.  There is certainly
> no threat of any overheating.

Really(?), Hmmm...
No real heating? Are you sure you have everything hooked up correctly?
Is it possible that you're only getting your neon xformer discharging 
across the gap, and not anything from your capacitor? What color is the 
arc? What does the arc sound like?
Dan K