Re: [TCML] mmc cap protection by spark-gaps-any ideas?

[CONOR WHYTE <cjwhyte@xxxxxxx>]

sorry, I thought it was you who made a protection gap across the MMC.
If it wasn't then sorry. 
I know about your transformer protection gap advocation... I guess I am confused.
Anyways, your page I saw was the one that got me started in coiling back in 1999.
Why are you out of coiling?  
i have seen several sites using the MMC spark gap in their designs.  Anyways.. Like I said I haven't nor plan on using one. Consensus here is it isn't a good idea. 

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Hammer <mhammer@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:25 pm
Subject: Re: [TCML] mmc cap protection by spark-gaps-any ideas?
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>

> CONOR WHYTE wrote:
> > That was what  I was trying to say.  Some MMC 
> designs I have seen use an over volt gap
> > over the entire MMC to protect it. -- are you saying this is a 
> bad idea? mike hammer
> > used this design and it proved reliable for him. personally I 
> have never used it. 
> 
> Not sure how my name got into this discussion since Ive been
> pretty much out of coiling for at least 4 or 5 years.
> 
> I still read the mailing list and still have the interest but
> just dont have the time or resources anymore. Imagine the surprise
> when my name jumps out at me during a quick scan of postings.
> 
> Im not sure why this person attached my name to this idea
> of protecting a MMC via a spark gap. I was pretty much
> out of coiling by the time MMCs became all the rage.
> All of my caps were of the poly/foil type. Some flat
> plate types and some rolled plate types.
> 
> To the best of my recollection I have never advocated placing
> a spark gap directly across the primary cap. If such a gap
> were to fire it would probably place a great deal of stress
> on that cap from the very high currents involved.
> 
> I have strongly advocated safety gaps placed directly across
> the transformer terminals as a fail safe of last resort as
> well as a safety gap place in parallel with the main gap.
> 
> Mike Hammer
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