RE: [TCML] Still stuck at 36"

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

Hi Neal,

You mentioned that the performance diminished quickly with time, and was restored briefly after letting it cool down.  The electrodes in a single gap must be massive enough and the airflow sufficient that there is minimal heating of the electrodes.  Mine were never detectably warm.  Just what did you use for electrodes, and how focused was the airflow to where the arcing occurs?  A sucker gap pulls the air directly through the arc, and I think most have found it superior to multi-segment gaps.  Do you have any photos?

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of neal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 6:58 AM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: RE: [TCML] Still stuck at 36"
> 
> Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth, since I just tried this-
> Someone earlier mentioned that a single gap might be better than an RQ type, but
> that was not the case for me. I'm using the blower from an air hockey table for
> quenching. I temporarily replaced my multi-gap with a single gap, fixed in a
> large pvc reducer fitting (I think 3" to 1 1/2") and directed as much air as
> possible over the gap. Cranking it up to about 60% power, within seconds I
> watched the streamers get reduced to almost nothing. Shut it off, let it cool
> down, and the same thing happened. So, for myself, I'll stick with the RQ
> style.
> 
> Neal.
> 
> 
> Quoting "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>:
> 
> > I can't back any of this up with experimental evidence, but I would guess
> > that a pressurized gap would exhibit worse quenching than a sucker gap.  I
> > base this on experiments that Terry did years ago, comparing a single segment
> > gap to a multi-segment gap.  The multi-segment gap showed superior quenching,
> > but higher losses.
> >
> > I suspect that things that stretch out or cool the gap plasma, like keeping
> > it in contact with as much and as many pieces of metal as possible, tend to
> > enhance quenching - the extinguishing of the arc.  I'm guessing that the
> > shorter, more conductive arc in a pressurized gap would be more difficult to
> > extinguish than one stretched out further.
> >
> > Regards, Gary Lau
> > MA, USA
> >
> 
> 
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