Re:

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Drake Schutt" <drake89@xxxxxxxxx>




How do you arrive at the conclusion that .01uF is almost exactly
right for a static spark gap?  Is there some way of mathematically
calculating this or is it purely experimental?  And is this dependent
on voltage or other factors?

Thanks,
Chris


Hi Chris,
I know because I am finishing my coil that is based on the same exact 
transformer you have.  The transformer is the biggest (only?) 
determining factor i can think of as far as design goes.  its 
basically where you have to start.  When you know the voltage and 
amperage output of the transformer you can determine almost 
everything else (sort of), definatly required capacitance.  I 
personally recommend wintesla, scratch that teslamap!  you can 
download it here 
<http://www.download.com/TeslaMap/3000-2054_4-10484887.html?tag=lst-0-1>http://www.download.com/TeslaMap/3000-2054_4-10484887.html?tag=lst-0-1, 
assuming youre running windows of course (im not at the moment, linux 
ftw!).  its a lot of help!  it can help you calculate everything you 
need to know including your MMC.  i dont know how to calculate it 
thats what the program does!  its sort of mathematical, sort of 
experimetal.  (Res, LTR, etc.)

got to run,
drake