Re: first coil issues (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:59:55 -0700
From: Barton B. Anderson <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: first coil issues (fwd)

Hi Scott,

Proximity can have a designated value, i.e., "the proximity in inches 
between the two coils is 1 inch". This indicates the nearest point of 
the two coils is 1 inch. So I used the term loosely which can lead to 
confusion. I meant to increase the value of the nearest point or 
proximity, thus, "increasing the proximity with the word (proximity) 
holding a value". But if you think of the word "proximity" in the 
literal sense, then it can be misconstrued. Sorry about that. Yes, 
increasing the distance.

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:35:51 -0700
>From: huil888 <huil888@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: first coil issues (fwd)
>
>Hi Bart -
>
>I think there may be a slight miscommunication here .......
>
>Proximity is a synonym for "nearness" or "closeness".
>
>"Increasing the proximity" would mean reducing the distance between the two 
>objects, or bringing them closer together.
>
>I think you meant "increasing the distance" between the primary and 
>secondary.
>
>Regards,
>Scott
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 8:36 PM
>Subject: Re: first coil issues (fwd)
>
>
>  
>
>>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:15:06 -0700
>>From: Barton B. Anderson <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>>Subject: Re: first coil issues (fwd)
>>
>>Hi Drake,
>>The proximity between coils is 1" and fine if your at or below the
>>bottom winding on the secondary. A wee bit high on coupling when even,
>>so if your there, look out for racing sparks or pri to sec arcing (or
>>even orange glowing spots in that vicinity).
>>
>>A 1/4" copper tubing would do just fine for this coil. I personally like
>>a 1.5" spacing with this coil size between inner turn primary and 
>>secondary.
>>
>>The MMC, well, it sounds like you simply have some proximity arcs
>>occurring (my read on it). Increase proximity. Oil will help, but isn't
>>necessary. I keep my MMC's spaced by about 1/2". I think you can figure
>>out what you need to do for that cap to stop the arcing. It's really in
>>your hands and if it's proximity arcing, then just increase the
>>proximity. Oil is ok, but unnessary unless you just don't want to change
>>it all again. I can certainly understand that feeling. I started my
>>first MMC in the worst possible configuration. Even blew a cap due to my
>>naive considerations. I eventually mounted them on a 8" pvc cylinder
>>which naturally spaced them out and has actually been very convenient
>>over the few years since I've built it.
>>
>>http://www.classictesla.com/photos/mmc/mmc.html
>>
>>A 12/90 NST can get some decent sparks. You simply need to clean up the
>>loose ends.
>>
>>Take care,
>>Bart
>>
>>
>>Tesla list wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>>Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:07:17 -0500
>>>From: Drake Schutt <drake89@xxxxxxxxx>
>>>To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>>>Subject: first coil issues
>>>
>>>Hi All,
>>>I've been tinkering with my coil off and on for the past few days and just
>>>when i thought i had everything set, i'm having more troubles.  The first
>>>issue was the vaccum motor broke off its mounts, then the spark gap
>>>electrodes broke off and now my MMC is broken.  I mounted it on i think 
>>>1/8"
>>>thick plexiglass which i can now tell you cracks very easily.  I 
>>>desoldered
>>>the caps and tried configuring them on a cutting board from walmart.  The
>>>leads were too short to thread through the board so they are literally
>>>soldered together (rather haphazardly) in strings sort of like this:
>>>
>>>
>>>====|
>>>====|
>>>====|
>>>
>>>the strings all terminate in about the same spot and i'm using some bare 
>>>Cu
>>>(maybe 6 awg) grounding wire a nice fella at home depot gave me for free.
>>>The trouble now is when I turn the varic up to about 60V the MMC bank 
>>>starts
>>>sparking noisily.  I cannot spot anywhere where the caps have failed or
>>>carbon tracking on the PE mounting board.  I tried insulating the "bus 
>>>bars"
>>>with some PE tubing which helped a bit.  I am thinking about putting them 
>>>in
>>>a container filled with oil to keep it from shorting out.  What do you 
>>>think
>>>would be a good short term solution as I am sort of nearing a deadline 
>>>with
>>>a project for school.
>>>
>>>Also- I was using I/O gauge wire in my tank circuit but it was just too 
>>>hard
>>>to work with.  I'm now using #6 stranded wire.  Can I go smaller?
>>>
>>>What would be a good primary tap (1/4 Cu tubing)? as the one i'm using now
>>>was sort of lashed together
>>>
>>>Thanks a million
>>>drake schutt
>>>
>>>p.s.- dave do you remember it ever being sooo hot here?  I can hardly 
>>>stand
>>>just going outside.  I sort of feel guilty for watering my grounding rod
>>>during a drought ^_^
>>>
>>>pps-  coil specs:
>>>
>>>xfrmr- 12kv/90ma
>>>cap- 0.028uf@32kv
>>>primary- 1/4 cu tubing, 8.5in ID, 21in OD
>>>secondary- 6.5" OD-  30" of #22
>>>top load- 6"x24" ducting/pizza pan/Al tape (slightly dented, w/6" copper
>>>breakout point)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>