RE: [TCML] Bug Zapper coil

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

I made no attempt to determine the original cap's value - I just gouged it out.

Another thing with ceramic disk caps is that they're extremely temperature-dependant.  Try putting a 1nF cap on a capacitance meter and touch a soldering iron, just briefly, to one of the leads to warm it up.  Trying to get the coil in tune with such a moving target would be futile.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of David Dean
> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 3:52 AM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Bug Zapper coil
>
> On Thursday 22 November 2007 09:46:14 am Lau, Gary wrote:
> > Hello All,
> >
> > I have finally gotten around to documenting my Bug Zapper Transformer (BZT)
> > powered coil on my web site.  For those interested, please see
> > http://www.laushaus.com/tesla/bzt_coil.htm
> >
> > Regards, Gary Lau
> > MA, USA
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tesla mailing list
> > Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
> Hi
>
> I pulled the transformer from a dead bug zapper last night. It looks just like
> in your picture but with the potted in cap still in place. I broke out the
> high voltage probe and measured 3.56kV and 10mA. That does not look right
> compared to the snappy spark.  Spark will start at about 1/8 in gap and once
> started will not break until the gap is stretched to about 3/8 in. I figure
> the cap is messing with the measurements.
>
> I tried to measure the capacitance, the meter says 9nf but flashes back and
> forth between that and OL. I was wondering if you were able to determine the
> value of the cap in yours when you removed it, or if it was destroyed "value
> unknown".  It would be an interesting experiment to see what can be done with
> the original cap in its original position. At such a low power level it may
> well work O.K. lossy as it may be.
>
> Just curious,
>
> deano
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> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
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