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Re: Copper VS Steel
Original poster: Mike <megavolts61@xxxxxxxxx>
Hi Jim,
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily the opinion of the
list haha..
Original poster: Jim <branley1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Hi Folks:
I do appreciate the great assistance with my tesla coil that I have
received from you.
Can I get your opinion on a few things?
1) Can I use 1" EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) for my spark gap
instead of 1" copper pipe?
this tubing is galvanized steel, right? It will probably work, but I
have a couple reasons why I'd choose copper. First, the conduction
around the pipe segments would have less resistance with copper than
zinc, therefore less heating of the segments. I think zinc oxide is
going to be formed quickly in the firing section and that is likely
going to remove the galvanized coating. Don't know how well the
steel works for making the sparks. Give it a try, if you have the
pipe...the only thing you have to lose is time spent putting it
together. Personally I think copper pipe is cheap enough...or even
the sweat couplings to go with them, being they are tried n true.
2) Can I use zinc coated bolts and nuts for my secondary instead of
brass bolts and nuts? Zinc is what most bolts, nuts & washers are
coated with.
I would NOT use them. The zinc is not the problem, it is the steel
underneath that will become heated in the rapidly
oscillating magnetic field. I can only see trouble using steel
bolts. Not only would this cause heat related troubles, such as the
connection loosening and possibly even melting the coil form if it is pvc.
3) What does the term quenching refer to when speaking about spark
gaps?
Quenching occurs a couple of cycles of the primary's
waveform. Basically it traps all the energy in the secondary and the
spark gap stops conducting. This allows the tank capacitor to
recharge while the secondary completes it's ringdown. There are
several ways to 'help' this quenching...the easiest way is using a
rotary gap because the electrodes become separated beyond breakdown
distance of air. With static gaps the best way is to have as many
gaps in series as possible and still have it fire properly. Either
blowing or sucking air across the gaps can aid in faster
quenching. There's a lot of very clever designs been made and shown
by list members. It would seem the 'Richard Quick' gap is the most
popular of designs.
Thanks for the informative help!
Jim
I'm sure you'll get plenty of other replies to this, read them all
and decide for yourself what's the best answers.
Mike
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