RE: [TCML] Spark gap for first TC

[John Byström <zrc@xxxxxxx>]

 jimlux wrote:
> 
> Almost anything will "work".
> I like a gap made of three pieces of 3/4" or 1" diameter copper pipe 
> about 2" long arranged with the long axes parallel.  So you effectively 
> have 2 long skinny gaps in series.  You have a small fan blow air 
> through the pipes (along the axis of the pipe.  If you arrange them in a 
> sort of squashed triangle, you can permanently mount the two end ones, 
> and adjustments only need to move the middle one.
> 
> The other easy gap that works fairly well is a couple of copper pipe 
> caps facing each other, with a shop vac blowing between them.
> 
> You could even do the two bolts thing, but I've found that the bolt is 
> so small  (even if you use carriage bolts and the gap is the head of the 
> bolt) the spark always goes from exactly the same spot on the electrode 
> and you get a hotspot.  Once you get that glowing hot spot, the gap 
> characteristics change (it breaks down more easily), and the output of 
> your coil drops.

The first gap you mention, when I use the long side of the copper 
tubes facing each other, how do you mean it would be (like a squashed
triangle)?

I'm probably going to start with the "two bolt thing" because of the 
time limit. If I have time left, I'll try another spark gap, like the one 
you mentioned or the classic RQSG (I believe it's called)

Thanks for the answers!





 		 	   		  
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