[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: [TCML] A few TC questions
In order to properly space the main spark gap, a great method is to set the electrodes to the point at which they barely will arc over with no capacitor attached. This will ensure that they can arc over at or near the RMS voltage of your transformer, which will keep the coil from putting too much stress on your transformer and capacitor. This should be done without the fan blowing on the electrodes, since the fan will increase the breakdown voltage of your spark gap while in use.
To accurately adjust your safety gap, it should be set a bit below the voltage of the MOVs, and should also be made in such a manner that it will very infrequently fire. In order to achieve this, you will want to adjust it so that - were you to take an insulated rod while the transformer was running and no capacitor attached - you might be able to coax an arc out of the transformer through this gap with a slight tap upon the electrode from the insulated rod, but not before. This must be done, though, before you adjust the primary spark gap, since the primary spark gap is made to be just below the breakdown voltage, while the safety gap is made to be just above the breakdown voltage, so that it will trigger when the primary gap 'refuses' to.
> From: scepp@xxxxxxx
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:06:37 -0600
> Subject: [TCML] A few TC questions
>
> Hello group,
>
> Well I haven't done any tesla coiling in about 2 years, and it's going to be a few months before things warm up here in Canada, but I'm getting things re-setup so that I can get back into the hobby.
>
> I recently bought a used 12Kv 60mA NST, it's one of the brown colored Allanson transformers. I measured the output and I get about 14Kv ac out of it, not bad.
>
> I build a new Terry filter using all the recommended parts.
>
> I added a third layer to my MMC capacitor bank, now i have 0.032 uF(it was 0.0212uF), is this too big for my 12Kv 60mA NST?
> The reason I did this was so that I could add a larger toroid to my coil, right now I using a wimpy 12 x 3 inch one. I don't have enough turns on my primary to tune a larger toroid.
>
> What should the gap space be on my spark gap, I know I used to have it written down, but new I can't find it. My spark gap is a three segment tungsten, 2 gap spark gap with a fan. The electrode are 3/8 inch with flat faces.
>
> The safety gap has three, 1 inch brass balls. What should I space them at? Is the safety gap suppose to fire before the MOVs conduct?
>
> Last question: I'm going to use a ground rod this time instead of the house electrical ground ( I've had no trouble yet). What should my coupling be set to, Primary center line to bottom of secondary?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Shaun Epp
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390708/direct/01/_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla