Re: [TCML] Re: FreakySpeaker mk1 (Newbie Questions & the pics I promised!)

["Phillip Slawinski" <pslawinski@xxxxxxxxx>]

Check the metallic parts of your primary form for warmth.  If the primary
form is getting warm then a substantial amount of energy is being taken from
the primary circuit and converted to heat.  Due to the low power of your
setup you may not be able to detect any warmth, but this doesn't mean the
primary form is not taking energy from the system.  This energy converted to
heat will obviously not make it to your streamers, and thus the maximum
streamer length you're likely to achieve goes down.

I'm sure the magnet affects your primary circuit in some way, whether or not
it is meaningful is another question entirely.  I can't do the calculations
for this, but I'm assuming we'd need to know the strength of the magnet,
inductance of the primary and distance from primary to magnet.  This becomes
more difficult when you consider that the steel frame is probably also
weakly magnetized.

If you're really concerned about spark length then you might want to go with
a different form.

On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 8:43 PM, Grant Visser <freeekyg@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Just did a superficial search in the archives for anyone else who may
> have used a speaker as a base for a TC but I didn't see anything!
>
> So as a "prompt" for comments *g* ....
>
> I was wondering wether or not the casing of the speaker and/or LARGE
> magnet (all at RF earth) being so close to and directly below the coil
> could be excessively "sucking" energy from my system and if it was, if
> there was any way around that while still allowing me to use the
> "speaker" concept?
>
> I recall reading somwhere that a strike rail should not go all the way
> around so as not to create a ground loop. With this in mind I did cut
> a section out of the top of the casing but am unsure of how effective
> that may in fact be considering the rest of the structure not to
> mention the magnet itself!?!?!?!
>
> I run a small nightclub (which doubles as my "lab") thus the reason
> for my "theme"! I also happen to have a large 18" speaker (also blown)
> with a very solid "cast" casing which is extremely visually appealing
> and which I wanted to use as the base for my 3.5" coil, but not if
> it's going to be counterproductive with regards to the output of the
> coil!
>
> All the best
> Grant
> Randburg, South Africa
>
> 2008/9/11 Grant Visser <freeekyg@xxxxxxxxx>:
> > Hi again!
> >
> > Figured some pics would probably fare better than me trying to
> > describe what I have done so I finally dragged myself away from
> > "experimenting" and got the pics uploaded!
> >
> > FreakySpeaker mk1 completed unit is here ->
> >
> http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/FreeekyG/FreakyTesla/TC_SPKR_mk1/?action=view&current=04092008053.jpg
> >
> > The other pics including the construction and some SPARKS are here ->
> >
> http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/FreeekyG/FreakyTesla/TC_SPKR_mk1/
> >
> > For the record, my coil cost a grand total of US$3.50 ... I really
> > meant it when I said that I had SCROUNGED the parts! *GRIN*
> >
> > I know it's a baby but I would REALLY appreciate any and all input and
> > comments from you GURUS!
> >
> > Even with my new smooth torroid top load and a single sharp breakout
> > point the best I have been able to get is 18cm sparks so my main
> > question is really wether I am getting what you would expect (all
> > things considered) or am I losing power somewhere?
> >
> > Because it is my first coil I would REALLY like to get it operating
> > OPTIMALLY before I move onto my next one which is going to be this
> > one's 3.5" bigger brother!
> >
> > This one's specs are:
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > Driven by a single 7.5KV 30mA NST from 220V 50HZ, centre tapped.
> > Double adjustable spark gap quenched with air suction
> > Leyden Jar Main Capacitor of unsure value (Variance in possible k
> > gives somthing between 14.77 and 27.1nF)
> > Yet to obtain and add the Power Factor Correction Capacitor (110.98pF)
> > Two air core chokes (32 turns of 11mm coated copper wire on 44mm pvc
> forms)
> > Secondary PVC form OD is 50mm (1.9685")
> > Secondary coiling is 620 turns of 0.588mm coated copper wire (43.6118
> > turns per inch achieved), coiled length is 38cm (after I cut the form
> > down from it's original 49cm!!!
> > Primary winding is 7 turns of 1.1mm copper house wire uncoated, inner
> > diam is 9cm, outer is 18cm, at a gradient of approx 30 degrees
> > Torroid Top Load is 11cm tube diam and 52cm total diam
> > With this top load my best performance tap point is at 4 turns exactly.
> >
> > The 18cm spark was achieved with trial and error tuning of the primary
> > tap and adjusting the spark gap.
> >
> > Many many thanks in advance
> >
> > Grant aka FreakyG
> > Randburg, South Africa (Actively seeking other South African coilers!!!)
> >
> > .
> >
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