[TCML] Maxwell #31915 colossal pulse caps

["David Rieben" <drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I am now the proud papa of 3 newly acquired Maxwell #31915
100 kV, .44 uF (that's right --  440 nF!) pulse caps with one
more on the way ;^)). Here is an eBay listing of one of these units:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360079598908&ih=023&category=4662&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST

They are of a pretty rotund design with dimensions of 4" x 6"
x 29" long and weigh just over 32 lbs. each. Although I can't 
seem to find an exact part number match, I was able to find 
some specs from GA's current line of pulse caps that did 
seem to have a pretty close match to these. I looked up on 
General Atomics' (since GA bought out Maxwell) webpage 
for some specs on these on the closest cap in the way of 
voltage, capacitance and physical dimensions and found:

http://www.gaep.com/series-s-ss-capacitors.html

Notice the #31427. It is of the same size physical dimensions
and weight as mine and has a nearly identical voltage/capacitance 
rating of 100 kV @ .4 uF. Notice though that it is rated for 1 pps ap-
plication and is only rated for a 15,000 shot life. However, I am 
thinking of someday seriesing 2 or 3 of these units for a super 
Tesla coil cap in the .16 to .24 uF range. It seems to me that 
with a 200 or 300 kV ceiling voltage rating, these should be pretty
much bullet proof in a large Tesla coil circuit, even with very re-
latively high primary voltages, say 40 kV or more, since the shot 
life expectancy goes up almost logarithmically in proportion to a
decrease in the applied voltage, doesn't it? Maybe Bert Hickman 
or Antonio Quieros (spelling?) could clarify here. (hint --- :^)
I suppose about the only other possible limiting factor would 
be the RMS current levels.

Also, the "measured C" that's on the label is generally about
.48 uF for each cap and my measurements of them so far
has verified a pretty close match - probably measures out to
around 8 to 12 nFd less than what the label says. 

Anyway, tell me what you all think.

David
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