Hi Dennis,Tuning will vary a little with surroundings (external capacitance) depending on the items nearby and even the coils sensitivity to extC. 2 turns is a bit much, so I understand your reason to question it. I've found (and many others) that a coil runs better when the primary is tuned for more L. Thus, it is actually "detuned" as far as coil to coil oscillation is based on their component values and derivations. I've run as far as 13% detuned on the primary in the coils I've built. In your case, your also running high on primary inductance as indicated by "more" turns. There are two main reasons why this occurs: 1) spark length and it's external capacitance affect on the coil. 2) External objects affecting the coil itself. Beyond these main issues, there is also a 3rd. If the coil is relatively small in size, the primary L is often very small. Thus, a little extC can greatly affect tuning. This aspect is difficult to understand until you actually try it.
In the end, what matters is your best spark length. Don't worry so much if a programs tuning is not perfect for your coil. Programs are using the best information they have, however, there's only so much data that a program can input that is practical for coilers. There is a point where more accuracy would require some odd measurements that most would not be up for or have the capabilities to do.
I would like if you sent me your coil specs however. A Javatc output would be good.
I haven't been checking my emails as often as I use to. I've been rather lazy with TCML this year. I do poke my head in now and then. I'll try to do better in the future.
Very best regards, Bart B. Anderson otmaskin5@xxxxxxx wrote:
Hey guys - I just built a built a 6" secondary & installed on my 15/60 system (replaced the old 4" secondary). I ran it on Sunday & like the way it's performed so far. I've got the static gap set conservatively at 0.12", & will gradually open in up as I get more confident everything is in balance & working the way it should be...which brings me to my question. JAVATC indicates optimal tuning at 17.3 primary turns. I started there but didn't get any sparks at all. Eventually after trial & error tuning I found the optimal primary tap point at 19.3 turns, 2 full turns more than JAVATC indicated. The coil seemed to run smooth at 19.3 turns and I didn't detect problems to indicate the anything was significantly out of tune. In the past, JAVATC has always proven to be right on the money or within a quarter turn of where I've found the actual tuning point. So I'm thinking I'm doing something wrong here - 2 full turns seems like major difference. I've gone back, checked & confirmed all the inputs (physical dimensions & elevations) and I've run the program a few times always getting the same result - 17.3 turns. It's really bugging me like something's just not right. Any ideas on what else I might look to resolve the discrepancy?Thanks for any ideas, Dennis Hopkinton MA _______________________________________________ Tesla mailing list Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
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