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RE: [TCML] Problems with secondary - internal arcing
I've been running dehumidified air though the secondary tube for about 12 hours and there are still traces of fluid inside. It feels like a very light oil and smells like a machine shop - although this is probably due to the arcing.
I'm going to try to run the wire outside of the secondary and attach the toroid with a nylon bolt, so there should be nothing metallic on the inside. The bottom part is tricky as I need the wire attached inside to bolt the upright column securely.
As far as I can tell there is no visible damage to the secondary wire, and the coating seems intact.
I'm annoyed because I tried to research the best way to attach the secondary to the toroid and base and couldn't find anything specific.
The more I think about it, the more obvious it seems - the metal bolt is creating a breakout point that it 19" away from a ground point, in an enclosed column of air - if I were an arc, where would I go?
Steve
Stephen Hobley Photography
www.stephenhobley.com
317 201 4281
The Laser Harp Project - www.stephenhobley.com/build
________________________________
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Chris Swinson
Sent: Thu 7/31/2008 8:46 AM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] Problems with secondary - internal arcing
That secondary looks in a bad way! once arcing starts it carries on. I have
not had problems like that other than overcoupling on one of my test
coils... Have you contacted the guy you brought it off ? I think you should
rebuild the secondary coil, or at least get it replaced...
If it was totally enclosed internally, maybe moisture got in, and when you
powered up the coil it started to ionize the inside of the secondary
reducing resistance, causing arcing. I don't know what fluid there is, maybe
the thing was coated in something, or had a wax coating which cause the
problem...
Some other guys on the list maybe able to give a better insight, though I
really think you need to rebuild your coil, obtain some regular drain/waste
pipe and a few KG of 0.4mm magnet wire.. drain pipe is normally a good few
mm thick so its pretty tough (well it is in the UK anyway!) Depending where
you are in the world, some list members maybe able to help you with a
replacement secondary coil... or just shoot the guy you brought it off....?
HTH
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen J. Hobley" <shobley@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 4:25 AM
Subject: [TCML] Problems with secondary - internal arcing
I put together some images of our poorly performing coil here:
http://s339.photobucket.com/albums/n447/shobley1/
it is the tesla coil kit sold by Alan:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tesla-Coil-Package-Complete-with-All-Items-Shown_W0Q
QitemZ130240933783QQihZ003QQcategoryZ7288QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trks
idZp1742.m153.l1262
I think I've found a problem. When I opened the secondary form there was
a massive smell of "electricity" and the inside of the coil had
undergone some arcing.
http://s339.photobucket.com/albums/n447/shobley1/?action=view¤t=_D
SC7444.jpg
So at this point I ask the question, should the secondary wires run
completely outside of the form, or is it acceptable to have a short
length inside to connect to the bolts?
The base of the form was darkened by the arcing, and there was also
evidence of a fluid, almost like oil on the lower bolt. I'm sure the
inside was completely dry when we assembled it.
http://s339.photobucket.com/albums/n447/shobley1/?action=view¤t=_D
SC7443.jpg
http://s339.photobucket.com/albums/n447/shobley1/?action=view¤t=_D
SC7445.jpg
I've searched the internet, but cannot find any examples of how the
secondary wire should be connected.
So this is probably what's affecting the performance. The coil does not
seem damaged on the outside, just the inside of the tube.
I will clean out the inside tonight trim the wires down so that they are
as short as possible.
Steve
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