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Re: [TCML] Gaps

Hi Dr, all,

This is pretty much the way that I've set up my
stationary gap for my current coil project. One
difference is that I actually cut out (2) parallel
~3/8" diameter slots from the 6" PVC mounting
pipe on 4" centers that are long enough to ac-
comidate (8) 1" ID x 6" long copper pipe segments
for a 7 gap assembly. I drilled (2) 1/4" holes on
4" centers in each of the 8 copper pipe segments
and ran 1/4"-20 machine screw and the associated
nuts and washers hardware to secure each of the
copper pipe segments to the mounting PVC pipe
via the cut out slots. I then spaced each copper
pipe segment next to its neighbor with a plastic
credit card. I really like the parallel mounting
slots better than trying to properly set drilled
holes for mounting, as it is nearly impossible to
perfectly set the holes without a drill press.
One other thing is that I did use regular steel
bolts to mount some of the copper pipe segments
since I didn't have enough brass screw on hand.
However, I did have enough brass screws to use
to attach the end copper pipe segments because
this is obviously where I also secured a copper
lug terminal for electrical connection to the SG
assembly from the rest of the tank circuit.

David Rieben
----- Original Message ----- From: <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 9:20 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] Gaps







Epoxy isn't the best choice.  If you do elect to go this route be sure to
use aerospace grade epoxy not the cheap stuff.

Better to drill holes and slot them slightly with a dremel tool.  Then you
can set the first gap, tighten the two 1/4-20 brass bolts, slip a feeler
gauge or better --- a long plastic card or piece lengthwise to set the gap
width., then tighten the next pair of brass bolts, then keep going in this
fashion.

I use brass lock washers on the outside and 1/4 inch brass nuts on the
inside of the 3/4 inch dia copper tubes.  Easy to set up, usually you can
do it all in under 1.5 hrs.

With a 30 mA xmfr I would never use more than 3 gaps and with a 60 mA xmfr
5 gaps works fine.  Excessive gaps produce a lot of thermal energy loss
that could better be expended in the sec coil.

The real secret is to blast a LOT of air thru the gaps with a small
turbine type of blower (usually 500-750 CFM is good).  This provides good
quenching and excellent output performance.  Surplus houses carry these
quite inexpensive.

Dr. Resonance




Dr. Resonance




Hi Bart, I've used the same technique, but then after the epoxy cures,
then I drill &?bolt them in.? I was always concerned that,?without
bolts,?heat might cause a pipe?to?fall out of the epoxy bond.? If you've
never had that problem, it looks like the bolting in place is
unnecessary.? That would be a big time saver.? How do you connect the
wires to the pipes...I assume alligator clips or something?


-----Original Message-----
From: bartb <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 4:59 pm
Subject: Re: [TCML] Gaps


Well said Brian!?
?
I remember all the gaps you mentioned. I personally like to epoxy my pipes 
to the pvc. Reason is that I can accurately set each pipe exactly at the
distance I need and perfectly parallel. I tried bolt methods in the past
and it's just not the best way to do it. I install one pipe at a time
letting the epoxy cure between each pipe installation. I use a feeler
gauge between each pipe and let gravity aid the exercise. Not hard to
figure out really. It's so easy it's ridiculous. A perfectly symmetrical
RQ gap can be built on any given Saturday. Parts needed is your pvc tube,
copper pipes, feeler gauge at the spacing wanted, and one tube of clear
high temp two part 10 minute epoxy.?
?
Here's 10 steps on how to build a perfect RQ pipe gap (or any type of pipe 
gap):?
?
Step 1) Mix small amount of epoxy and apply a 1/4" strip along the length
of one pipe.?
Step 2) Mount pipe to pvc (epoxy side to pvc tube) and ensure it is
parallel in the pvc tube.?
Step 3) Let pipe cure for 30 minutes.?
Step 4) Mix another small amount of epoxy and apply again to second pipe.? 
Step 5) Mount pipe next to first pipe (epoxy side to pvc) parallel to
first pipe.?
Step 6) Insert feeler gauge between pipes and leave it there.?
Step 7) Turn pvc tube so that the new pipe is forced onto the first pipe
and pvc tube by gravity (~45 deg angle).?
Step 8) Block pvc tube into position so it doesn't roll and wait 30
minutes.?
Step 9) Repeat above steps until all tubes are in place.?
?
Step 10) Install fan, connect wires, run coil, take photos, share photos
with TCML.?
?
Take care,?
Bart?
?
Brian Foley wrote:?

Hi, I built a so called "RQ" gap, pvc with copper tubes inside, i use a
computer fan and the top of a pill bottle so all the air is in the gaps
or thru the pipes. It works well on my coil. > For those of us who have
built coils and been coiling for years have found Tesla Coils are as
unique as people...what works wonderful for one coil doesnt mean it will
make your coil wunderful....there is no perfect size, no one size fits
all...?
there are many designs that built carefully work just fine, once tuned
to the parts of that coil.......?
this style gap seems to suit smaller coills up to several KW or a little
more....If you ran and tuned your coil to a simple gap set at 1/4 inch
then the spacing you might use would include settings that were less
than 1/4 inch and slightly more than 1/4 inch...?
Gap distance divided by the number of gaps approximately..?
I found the pvc pipe difficult to drill slots so the pipes could be
spaced to a certain gap distance......easily done however in a machine
shop....Now there are many gaps made with pipes layed out flat, one used
staggered or high and low pipes for a shorter overall distance......some
glued the end of the pipes to a block of plastic, one even was made on a
flexible surface and as the tension was increased the gaps became
wider.......interesting and very simple design. My best recommendation,
look at a lot of pipe style gaps, decide which is easy to make, and
expirement.....you own innovation might be just what your coils needs to
be happy....enjoy...Brian F.?
?

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Dr. Resonance

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