RE: [TCML] Caps

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

I would have to agree with Conor.  I made two attempts at rolled poly/foil caps, also using a vacuum pump and doing lots of research and doing everything right.  Both attempts ended in a stinking mess, one of them having blown its oil all over my garage floor.  In addition to being very labor-intensive, the rolled cap was not inexpensive, despite being simple in concept.  I agree that it looked cool and I would have used it with great pride, having built it from scratch.  I was fortunate to have scored some suitably sized Maxwell caps at a flea market, and these are what I principally use now.  But for those not so blessed, I can't recommend anything but an MMC.  If you must have a do it yourself cap, glass bottle caps are probably a better alternative, if bulk, weight, losses, and spillage are not an issue.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of CONOR WHYTE
> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:46 AM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Caps
> Importance: High
>
> I once tried making my own caps using PE and Al flashing. It was a giant headache
> and time consuming. Also you should have a Vacuum pump which I got a hold of.
> My capacitor was rated for 32Kv at approx 40nF. It lasted 1 month, then it exploded
> blew the top off the cap for the PVC housing and blew Naphalene (Shell Dia-ex?)
> based insulating oil everywhere. It left a huge mess to clean up.  NEVER NEVER
> NEVER AGAIN! It was a worse experience with the crap resistors I got for "bulk".
>
> MAKE AN MMC ... my response
>
> For basically less cost I'd go with CDE942s series capacitors PERIOD!. They have
> good current & voltage  specs and are built like tanks. They can tolerate accidental
> spikes .. gap problems and fairly high operation  temperatures. These are also self
> healing.  I have run the same MMC for 2 years heavy use. No performance
> problems at all.
>

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