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Re: [TCML] caps for quarter shrinker question



Hi Bamacoiler,

bamacoiler@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
I have a surplus suppply of many Sangamo direct current capacitors. I would like to make a quarter crusher with them if possible. They are rated 15kvdc 2.25µf.. If I connect 20 of them in parallel it comes out to about 5kjoules. Will this work or do I need to use different type capacitors? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
> Bamacoiler

They will probably work... at least for a while. 3-5 kilojoules is quite adequate to demonstrate coin shrinking effects with US clad coins. I use 5 kilojoules to shrink US quarters to the diameter of a dime.

Connecting 20 identical caps in parallel will help share the peak discharge current. This can be a very important consideration for capacitors that are not specifically designed to deliver high current pulses. Even under these reduced current conditions, your capacitors may still internally arc if they happen to use metal tab technology to make connection with the capacitor plates instead of the more robust technique of soldering directly to the foil ends of the capacitor rolls.

Also, coin shrinking is a ringing load. Even after the coil is destroyed, the plasma continues to conduct and the system rings (albeit at a higher frequency) due to residual bus and internal capacitor inductance. If your capacitors use a kraft paper-oil dielectric system, they should be able to handle ringing discharges better than film-foil capacitors. However, to prolong their life, you may wish to keep full charge voltage to perhaps 80% (or less) of the faceplate DC rating.

Contact me off-list for other details and precautions before attempting to construct this device.

Bert
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