Re: [TCML] Safety gap firing - (JAVATC Questions)

[otmaskin5@xxxxxxx]

This has been the most frustrating part of my coiling experience.? When running the coil, my safety gap fires anywhere between frequently and constantly.? I have tuned, re-tuned, re-re-tuned ad-infinitum, raised & lowered the toroid, raised & lowered the secondary, rebuilt components including the safety gap, the MMC, spark gap & tried several suggestions from this group.? In well over 2 years of coiling, I have not been able to solve this problem

I have my static spark gap closed down so far, that I'm surprised I even get any sparks at all (although somehow, I am getting?pretty decent sparks).? But I know I'm seriously limiting performance.? Right now, I'm down to a 0.12" spark gap with a 15/60 NST - & STILL get some safety gap firing.? The NST connected only to the spark gap easily fires all nine segments for 0.27" total gap every time I try it.? I know a lot of guys are running much wider than I am.? Seems like from everything I read from other coilers, they are at 0.25" spark gaps or more.? The Dr. sent me plans for a 12000 NST coil with a 0.25" gap spec.? I'm not looking to go crazy overextending my components with an improperly wide spark gap, but my current 0.12" seems ridiculously low.

I am going to try resetting the safety gap as Bart suggests, although what he describes seem pretty close to what I did.? I'm also going to find someone with a scope & signal generator locally to verify tuning.? But beyond that I'm stumped.? I'll let you know?what happens.? Thanks for listening.? Dennis Hopkinton MA


-----Original Message-----
From: bartb <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 6:17 pm
Subject: Re: [TCML] JAVATC Questions


Hi Dennis,?
?
Yes, 1/8" total gap. This is a safety gap and your main gap is something else, right? The "safety" gap you will have to experiment with even after it's on the system. The main gap should be set to just fire with the transformer. The safety gap should be set to not fire except if the main gap has a problem. How often the safety gap fires will depend on the regularity of the main gap. If the safety gap fires too often, it can heat up and then start firing more and more often as the electrodes heat and as the air around the safety gap becomes more ionized.?
?
Take care,?
Bart?
?

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