Re: [TCML] Stupid thought... Grounding

[jimlux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andrew Robinson wrote:
> Ok so this just hit me while watching Futurama... Love that show... 
> anywaz, I might have some insight as to the poor performance of my new 
> coil. I know everyones probably going to say DUH, and smack me over the 
> back of the head. I never had trouble with previous coils. My latest pig 
> driven coil would output a 15 footer on a good day... This coil and its 
> predecessors were all attached to an 8ft copper grounding rod. I now 
> live in an apartment in Raleigh NC (was first floor till a few weeks 
> ago). When I tested the coil in the old apartment, we used a copper 
> water pipe we assumed went into the foundation. (Small table top tesla 
> coil) Now that I think about it im guessing a didnt procure a decent 
> ground. I know this'll be hard, but try to ignore all other potential 
> variables. Assume this coil runs at peak efficiency with say that old 
> 8ft ground rod. How much would you guess performance would be hurt by 
> using the theoretical water pipe ground. Even better yet, now that the 
> coil will be operated outside, can anyone take a guess on performance 
> using a removable 1ft or 2ft rod? I know you can create a surface area 
> ground with say a disc of chicken wire but thats a pain in the butt. 

The chicken wire doesn't have to be a big continuous circle.  How about 
some 2' wide strips that are attached to some cheap carpet that you roll 
out.  You'd wind up with a sort of star pattern.  A decent area will 
have much better connection to the "ground" than a rod.
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