RE: [TCML] Spark gap

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

A couple of additional points not dealt with in previous responses...

1) If your power supply is indeed rated at 200mA, that's pretty beefy.  Most static gaps are used at much lower power levels, and may have trouble with the current you're talking about.  A rotary gap may be better here for that reason alone.

2) Any static gap, RQ or otherwise, is unlikely to operate at 60BPS, or 120BPS.  All static gaps operate in what can only be described as a chaotic mode, with the BPS varying widely from second to second.  A long-term average is typically far higher than the mains frequency, usually in the range of 150-300BPS.

For NST's (the only thing I have personal experience with), a sync 120BPS RSG is better than a static gap because it allows one to use a larger cap, resulting in a larger bang.  Spark length is all about using the biggest bang possible.  And it guarantees that each bang is identically and maximally sized.

Regards, Gary lau
MA, USA



> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Rich Schmuke
> Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:00 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: [TCML] Spark gap
>
> I am going to ask a simple question but please give a simple answer. I am
> not a EE just a builder. I was asking about a rotor gap the other day and it
> was suggested I try a propeller gap for my 200ma coil. Well I have a motor
> from a 8" hard drive now and am going to build a mount as soon as it is warm
> enough to get to my shed. My question is why is a propeller at 3600 RPM
> better than a RQ copper tube gap?  60 cycle RQ  vs a 3600RPM it's the same
> break rate I think.
>
>
>
> Rich

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