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[TCML] Re: Maxwell #31915 colossal pulse caps

Hey again,

Never mind my question about cap's life expectancy
at reduced voltages, unless you'd like to comment 
anyhow ;^) There are X-Y graphs regarding applied 
voltage vs.life expectancy rating and 20% V-reversals 
at the bottom of the same GA webpage that I linked.
http://www.gaep.com/series-s-ss-capacitors.html

David
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Rieben 
  To: Tesla list 
  Cc: David Rieben 
  Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:38 PM
  Subject: Maxwell #31915 colossal pulse caps


  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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