Re: [TCML] Still poor performance

["DC Cox" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can share one idea that happened to me in my earlier coil building years.

I had an insulation material that was not optimum.  While the primary
sparkgap was in operation most of the current was
leaking away thru the insulating materials I used as stand-off insulators.
It silently sapped away all of my power
and decreased the performance of the coil by 80%!  Once I located this
problem and made the appropriate corrections
all was well again.

Dr. Resonance




On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 9:42 PM, CONOR WHYTE <cjwhyte@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> I forgot to mention this.
> have you noticed any sputtering from your coil?
> If not (hmm thinking) check your ground? I don't know what else it could
> be.
> Why don't you take a video of it running that way we can all see it in
> action.
>
>
>
>
> nce
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
> > Hi Nicholas,
> >
> > Sounds frustrating. Since the beginning I pointed at the gap
> > (mainly due
> > to this being the biggest area of problems). I know your using
> > .0125uF
> > MMC CD caps and I know your specs. The tuning really should be
> > at 9.6
> > turns with the larger toroid. The two gap arrangement I assume
> > are the
> > same cylinder size previously used (1" diameter). Gap spacing
> > should be
> > just under 1/4" (about 0.22") with 2 cylinders.
> >
> > Feel the gap electrodes after running and grounding out the MMC
> > to check
> > for temperature. How hot is it? Too hot to keep your fingers on?
> > If it's
> > warm but not hot, and if the coil is tuned, I have to wonder if
> > the
> > secondary has some carbon track under the windings (not visible)
> > or even
> > a shorted turn. Something is robbing power.
> >
> > I personally would not add another gap type or different
> > component at
> > this time. The components you have are adequate. It's a matter I
> > think
> > of finding where the loss is. Regarding the primary connection
> > you asked
> > about. My coil is wired just the opposite. It really shouldn't
> > matter,
> > but it's something you could easily check to put it out of your mind.
> >
> > Basic
> > hookup:             Toroid
> >                           0----0
> >                             (
> >                 Cap         (
> > N--------O-------||-------) (Sec
> > S
> > Gap            Pri) (
> > T--------O----------------) (RF Ground
> >
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Bart
> >
> > Nicholas J. Goble wrote:
> > > Thanks to all your help and advice in my thread "Toroid
> > Problems".
> > > However, my coil is still performing very poorly.  My
> > 9/30 NST is
> > > putting out 7 inch sparks at the very best.  Here are the
> > improvements
> > > I've made.
> > >
> > > 1.  I've made all connections more secure.  I am
> > using terminals and
> > > bolts to make connections to my spark gap instead of cold
> > solder joints.
> > >
> > > 2.  I've shortened all connections in the primary circuit
> > by building a
> > > stand/cabinet for the coil.
> > >
> > > 3.  I've upgraded all the tank wire to 10 gauge stranded
> > copper wire.
> > >
> > > 4.  I built a new spark gap.  Instead of the
> > multiple spark gap, I am
> > > now using a single electrode spark gap.  The electrodes
> > consist of two
> > > pieces of copper pipe.  I think that this gap is easier
> > to adjust than
> > > my previous gap, and as a result, quenches better.
> > >
> > > 5.  I made a new primary tap.  I bought two small
> > metal fuse clamps and
> > > soldered them together.  They seem to work perfectly.
> > >
> > > 6.  I build a smaller toroid.  It looks like crap
> > (clothes hangars +
> > > paper mache + Al foil), but at least I'm getting some breakout.
> > >
> > > With the new toroid on, I'm lucky to even get a 1 inch
> > breakout.  I
> > > made a breakout point by resting some spare 1/4" copper tubing
> > on the
> > > top of the toroid and got about 4-5" sparks.  Without the
> > toroid on,
> > > I'm getting 7" sparks at the absolute best.  Any suggestions?
> > >
> > > One side question, does it matter how I connect the primary
> > coil to the
> > > circuit?  The inside of my primary is connected to my MMC
> > and the outer
> > > tap is connected to the spark gap.  Is this
> > significant?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Nicholas Goble
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