[TCML] ARSG KATO

[Joe Mastroianni <joe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As this is becoming the diary of my attempts and failures....

Let's log another failure.  I built an ARSG around an AMETEK motor number 5409-33  AC/DC.  I think it's a vacuum cleaner accessory motor.  I got the idea from Terry B's web site.

Now, Terry notes he had some sort of failure when he first tried it, so he surrounded the ARSG with polycarbonate.   During my testing phase, I didn't feel like building a polycarbonate box, so I just surrounded it with 3/4" plywood leaned up against the power supply base where the ARSG was bolted.  

Well, things were peachy.  Indeed, sparks were smaller than with the SRSG, and I was in the process of tuning things, when - whamo.  Yes, whamo.  I had the motor spinning at almost full speed, which I suppose is a couple thousand RPM.  I think what must have happened, is that the motor vibration is quite high, and I must have not had one of the stationary electrodes tightened down tightly enough.  I'm guessing the spinning electrode crashed into it.   But honestly,  the amount of destruction that occurred hid the cause. 

The motor tore off its mount - which is to say, it was bolted to some metal "L" brackets.  The motor housing is plastic, and the housing cracked, freeing the bolts.  The L brackets twisted.  Some brass hardware I was using to hold everything down was bent.  We're talking 1/4-20 2" bolts bent about 10 degrees.

I didn't see it happen, of course, I just saw a 4' by 6' piece of 3/4 inch plywood shudder as if kicked.  Thank god it was between me and the flying debris.   The 7" tungsten spinning electrode shattered into bits between 1/4" and 3/4" long.  The collars were still firmly attached to 2 of the bits, so we can presume neither of those came free.

I was quite happy with the electrical performance until it tore itself up, and now I'm quite discouraged.   Lot of work to have self destruct.

I guess that's the way rocketeers feel when their creations explode on the pad.

Back to the ARSG, which I couldn't get to work...  May have to put coiling away for a while._______________________________________________
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