[TCML] DIY Tank Capacitor - Plate configuration confusion

["Grant Visser" <freeekyg@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I have held off on asking this question for many many MANY hours because I was :
1. 98% convinced that my memory of the theory was correct so didn't
want to embaress myself by seeming just plain stupid.
2. 100% convinced that a few seconds research on the net would not
only confirm my theory but also give me a bunch more ideas to play
with!

Well, following many many MANY hours of searching the net and reading
way too many articles/papers/tutorials/etc. on capacitors, my
conviction regarding my theory has dropped to around 2%, which is low
enough to be extremely depressing but not low enough to allow me to
simply give up, so here I am ..... ready to embaress myself! LOL

I have built a few smaller stacked plate caps in the past, have also
blown a few so no problem there. Am certainly no guru in the field of
amateur electronics but am also no .... idiot .... or at least I
didn't think I was until today!

Capacitors can be wired in parallel to increase capacitance or in
series to decrease capacitance and to spread the voltage load (as in
an MMC array).

When constructing a stacked plate capacitor the cells are hooked up in
parallel thus this type of DIY cap is often referred to as a "Parallel
Plate Capacitor" and bunches of these can be strung together in series
to build up a tank capacitor suitable for the intended use.

Don't 'think' I have made any mistakes yet so so far so good!

My theory, which I was convinced was ELEMENTARY, is the source of my
confusion at this stage because I have been completely unable to find
any reference to it in my hours and hours and HOURS of searching!

ALL I wanted to do was to use a SERIES STACKED PLATE configuration in
each of my capacitor modules to increase the Voltage Capacity of each
individual module. I could then wire these modules externally in
parallel or indeed in any configuration required for my application.

I really didn't think that using a series stack configuration would
pose any challenges but now I am not so sure!!!

I have put together a diagram simplifying what I wanted to do for clarity.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/FreeekyG/FreakyTesla/FreakyCaps.jpg

PLEASE, I would be most grateful if you would take a moment and let me
know if (D4) and (D5) are workable as I thought or if I am indeed ...
an IDIOT! *grin*
If my concept of the Series Stacked Plate Capacitor doesn't work or
has "issues", PLEASE could you explain why or maybe point me to some
reference material so that I can figure this one out!

Very best regards
Grant
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