RE: [TCML] How Important is Location?

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

You ask an interesting question that I've not seen previously discussed here.  I think there are two things that would be affected by altitude.

If using a static spark gap, assuming that no adjustment was made for altitude, the gap breakdown voltage for a given gap width will be lower at high altitudes.  This would result in a smaller "bang" size and lower performance, so to keep things equal, a high-altitude coil would need the gap width expanded to compensate.

And, it's likely that for the same topload voltage, the length of sparks will be longer at higher altitudes, since low pressure gasses are more easily ionized.  

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of Alice
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 12:19 PM
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [TCML] How Important is Location?
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I was reading how you all were discussing whether or not the 50 or 60hz of different
> countries is an issue.  I was wondering about another location issue, sea level vs.
> mountaintop.  If one made a Tesla coil that works perfectly at sea level and then
> took it to a mountaintop, would it work the same way?  I know cooking directions
> are slightly different for high altitude, would it be the same case here?  I recall
> reading something Tesla wrote where he said there was some sort of difference.
> 
> I just joined, by the way.  I am from Florida.  I recently have been reading a lot
> about Tesla and his coils.  I am new to this.  Please try to answer me in a not too
> complex fashion as I am not an electrical engineer.
> 
> Thank you all,
> 
> Becky
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla