RE: [TCML] Extra Cap before tank circuit

[Jeff Behary <electrotherapy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott,
 
I tried something similar before with some success.
http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/2007/120240TC/index.htm
 
I did a simple power supply to demonstrate that you can have a true spark gap circuit with only 240 volts.  It uses a 1 mfd cap, and a really sensitive spark gap that can get as close as .0005".  It works really well for ignition coils and Model T Coils, but for Tesla Coils it only works with the really low frequency Pancake Coils (~50kHz).  For a normal Tesla Coil, the frequency is just too low.  Now, if I replace the cap with a normal value of .05 mfd or .1 mfd, the gap becomes really difficult to sustain in operation at this low voltage.  (At 1/2 mfd or 1 mfd, it will run no problem, without adjustments)
 
One day I tried for fun just to short circuit the posts that were output to the Tesla Coil.  This way the gap fires no matter what.  Then I put the Tesla Coil I wanted to test in series with the shorted output and a condenser of proper size for the coil I was using (it was .15 mfd).  The coil worked!  I even tried a few motor start caps and other large caps lying around to note if there was any improvement over that.  Sometimes there was, for the most part some large cap was needed to keep the thing operating correctly.  As for what would happen with higher voltages, it must get interesting too.
 
The original arrangement was:  120V to 240V transformer, with 1 mfd condenser in parallel with the output.  Spark gap in series with two terminals (that normally accepted a Tesla Coil, for a normal Tesla circuit (aside from the unusual values)).  
 
The new arrangement made:  120V to 240V transformer with 1mfd condenser in parallel with the output.  Spark Gap in parallel with this condenser (via the shorting rod).  Condenser in series with Tesla Coil connected to either side of the spark gap.  
 
Jeff
 
> From: teslas-intern@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 20:02:07 -0400> CC: > Subject: [TCML] Extra Cap before tank circuit> > > Hey all,> I watched a u-tube video not too long ago and some guy made the > biggest Jacob's ladder type arcs ever with just two MOTs; he used a > "resonant capacitor" attached to one secondary and drew the arc > essentially from the other cap terminal. My question is this, could one > use such a power supply to get maximum current from your wall (it was 60 > Hz AC if I understood correctly) and then use a LTR cap to get maximum > Bang size? If your having trouble understanding, this would be the > order of components, HV terminal from MOT, fed to resonant cap, fed to > one leg of SRSG (or other) spark gap, fed to LTR cap, fed to primary, > fed to other leg of SRSG, fed to HV out of other MOT (If I must I will > draw a picture.) Maybe you could take advantage of such a setup if it > were DC, I don't know, just musing.> > Scott Bogard.> > > _________________________________________________________________> Get Windows Live and get whatever you need, wherever you are. Start here.> http://www.windowslive.com/default.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Home_082008_______________________________________________> Tesla mailing list> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
_________________________________________________________________
Got Game? Win Prizes in the Windows Live Hotmail Mobile Summer Games Trivia Contest
http://www.gowindowslive.com/summergames?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla