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Re: [TCML] Maxwell #31915 colossal pulse caps



Hi Bert,

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make the
DC's Teslathon this year. I already have reservations
to go to Ec Wingate's in Rochester next weekend,
though. It's pretty hard to convince the wife to let
me go to two out-of-town Teslathons that close to-
gether, you know. I haven't ever made it to Ed's
Teslathon yet so I thought that I would go to his this
year.

--
David Rieben

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman@xxxxxxxxxx> 

> Hi David, 
> 
> Congratulations on the new additions to the family! 
> 
> As you probably already know, the Maxwell 31XXX series are usually low 
> pulse rated (1PPS) with a few known exceptions (31393, 31981, and 
> 31583). I suspect, but do not know for a fact, that the dielectric 
> system may use Mylar. If you keep run times reasonable, their large 
> physical size has enough thermal mass that they shouldn't heating up too 
> quickly. 
> 
> DC is right - give the GA engineering folks a call. They will be more 
> than happy to send you the actual spec sheet if its not a proprietary 
> design. And, if you would please, let us know the actual specs (or make 
> the spec sheet available for the future). 
> 
> I notice that the eBay seller in Texas seems to have many more of these 
> listed - a bunch of these would make for one really NASTY Marx 
> generator. =<:^O 
> 
> Hope you'll be able to make it to the Cheesehead Teslathon this year. 
> 
> Best wishes, 
> 
> Bert 
> 
> 
> 
> David Rieben wrote: 
> > 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 
> > _______________________________________________ 
> > Tesla mailing list 
> > Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> > http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla 
> > 
> 
> 
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