Re: [TCML] Envirotex Lite , High Torque drive

[DC Cox <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wind most of my coils in the general range of 20-30 rpm.

Steve's concept using Envirotex is very interesting.  During our last
Teslathon his coil was struck a number of times.  The energy just
"spider-webbed" across a wide area of the sec coil, probably transferring
some energy via capacitive coupling thru the thick insulation.  In all cases
the coil was never injured in any fashion.

Other coils with thinner insulation usually fail when such a high current
strike in induced.  My Big Bruiser was effected by moisture last year
causing upper turn breakdown.  Ed Wingate's coil, at a Teslathon about 9
years ago, also was struck and rapidly broke down.  Both my coil and Ed's
did not have super thick insulation on the secs.

I think Steve is on to something important here.  Thicker insulations may
offer the key to better performance especially in high performance DRSSTCs
in which the spark length is greater than the sec coil winding length.

I've wound a few coils with the Envirotex Lite and agree it provides a
beautiful sec coating (very high gloss, reflective) and apparently offers
superior breakdown protection when struck by a stray spark.

Dr. Resonance




On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 3:46 PM, Jim Mora <wavetuner@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi Steve, Et Al,
>
> Excellent information\experience sharing! And thanks to all others! Do you
> have any idea what is an estimated ideal rpm or rpsec. I set up a spread
> sheet to convert frequency readout on my motor drive controller to rp/sec.
> Very real precision. I don't want the hassle to program the drive which
> does
> most anything except pour the enviortex on:-).
>
> I'm going to control the speed simply via an analog potentiometer with a
> foot pedal for hands free operation. The over kill here is for winding a
> 22-24" sonotube which goes on the winder when the other coil is dry -
> assuming I don't create a tex disaster:-)) I am assuming your tool is a 5"
> spackle putty knife. I do want Evirotex lite yes? Does it like it hot?
> There
> will likely be bugs to deal with - no wind or dust though. There are less
> in
> the morning but it is much cooler.
>
> It's a good thing my wife is very patient with me and all my considerable
> eccentric stuff. We won't have a deck for awhile this time :-^))
>
> Jim
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of Steve Ward
> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 1:26 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Envirotex Lite , High Torque drive
>
> Jim,
>
> For what its worth, i recently coated a 12.75" x 47" winding with 32 oz (2
> coats at 16oz each) of envirotex to get what i consider a suitably thick
> coating.  The coating is thick enough to prevent damage in the event of
> flash-over.  I use a normal coat of poly-urethane varnish on the wire
> itself
> so that its firmly held in place with the thin varnish that will wick into
> and under the windings.  The epoxy will NOT do a good job at wicking into
> the coil, and is really just a surface coating.  Before application of
> epoxy, be sure to wipe down the whole coil with an alcohol-saturated rag.
>
> So you better go for the gallon kit, probably putting on 20-24oz per layer.
> I do 2 thinner layers rather than 1 really thick one usually.  I use a
> metal
> spatula thing i bought at home depot, i think its for drywall mudding, and
> is about 5" wide.  Just keep the coil rotating SLOWLY (maybe 20-30 RPM) and
> keep pouring it on ahead of the spatula to spread it out.  With the right
> touch you can really get some seriously thick layers on the coil if the
> spin
> rate and application technique is just right.
>
> Another tip, despite what they tell you, i use a low speed drill and a
> home-made mixing attachment to stir up my epoxy.  The mixer is just a bent
> up piece of wire (im sure you can figure something out).  I dont suggest a
> paddle or anything for a drill-powered mixer.  Anyway, you will see the
> epoxy mix turn cloudy, keep mixing and it will return to a very clear
> appearance, this is good!!  Hand stirring often left my mix a bit on the
> cloudy side, while it still cured clear it seemed to take an extra long
> time
> to set.  A thorough mixing to the clear stage seems to be the better way.
>
> Steve
>
> On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 6:43 PM, Jim Mora <wavetuner@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks much for the shared experiences on "Pupman" on Envirotex Lite
> > application.
> >
> >
> >
> > I recognized the how fast a high torque drive could go from my friend to
> my
> > worst enemy. Luckily, my motor drive has a provision for about every
> > interface including a PC and Ethernet!
> >
> >
> >
> > Also, it has provision for an external emergency stop and an external
> > potentiometer speed control. I bought a cheap guitar pedal and gutted the
> > China audio taper electronics and added a 2K linear potentiometer for
> speed
> > control. It was necessary to mod the throw to get better pot circulation-
> > anyone know where to get a half turn pot??? Nothing comes up with Google.
> > I'll put a mushroom stop button in a die cast foot stomp box.
> >
> >
> >
> > A couple of questions though:
> >
> >
> >
> > I want to buy Envirotex LITE correct?
> >
> > Any idea how much to mix for a first coat a 12.25"  x 61.25" #18.
> >
> > I buy wholesale from a local paint store; so, a gallon may be a good
> thing
> > if available rather than buying in quarts?
> >
> >
> >
> > I look forward to a glass like coil rather than my thin-ish poly coated
> > coils.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks Much,
> >
> > Jim Mora
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tesla mailing list
> > Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
> >
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