Re: [TCML] Running a TC in snow

["DC Cox" <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Constructive discussion is always positive.

I suspect your ohmmeter was operating a 9 VDC. There were probably small
millimeter sizes air separations between the crystals which the 9 VDC could
not bridge.

If you had used a "megger" (instrument commonly used by electricians to
measure high ground resistances and check electric motor coil resistances to
ground) operating at 1 kV, the resistive readings would be considerably
lower.

If you tried this experiment at 300-500 kV range of an average operating
coil I suspect the results would be considerably different.  Also, RF
currents have a much higher
tendancy to "track" across insulative surfaces than direct currents.

Snow is basically frozen water, and any current thru this material could
cause some thermal effects, slightly melting the snow, and then you have
water.

All in all, I would not operate my coils outdoors in the snow.  No good
reason to do this.  Even Santa Claus might be impressed with the resulting
fireworks as the
ice crystals begin changing back into water.  So, why take the risk?

Dr. Resonance




On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 5:56 PM, Mike <megavolts61@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hate to argue with you Dr. R,  but I just stuck my multimeter into a pile
> of snow(got plenty of the white stuff around), and with the probe less that
> about half inch apart, I got a infinite resistance reading.  I would venture
> to guess that as long as it is cold enough that the snow doesn't melt, it
> would actually not make a coil run significantly different than if in the
> same conditions without it snowing.   distilled water has a fairly high
> resistance as well...which snow would be very close to upon melting...I
> could see it shorting the spark gap if it were not enclosed somehow, but if
> you set your coil up outdoors under a tarp until it is below freezing....I
> don't think much would ever happen bad."
> Mike
>
>
> > yes, bad idea.  Snow and water do not mix well with high
> > voltage.
> >
> > Dr. Resonance
> >
>
>
>
>
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