Re: [TCML] Massive VTTC!!!

[Futuret <futuret@xxxxxxx>]

Carlos,

That sounds like an interesting project you're working on.   

If you're using filtered DC for the power supply, and not pulsing the
power in any way, then yes sparks will be short.  The sparks grow
longer when the spark duration is interrupted in staccato fashion.

 
Pulsed or staccato operation also permits the peak power to be
higher for a given average input power, without burning up valves
(vacuum tubes) or other components.  It's the peak power that
will give the long sparks.  

I use the formula:

  spark length (inches) = 0.5*sqrt input power (wallplug watts)

Assuming 35,000 watts, the coil should give almost 8 foot sparks,
figuring 60 pulses/ second.  The sparks can probably be longer if
the spark durations are optimized for best results, or if a slower
pulse rate is used.   

Cheers,
John

 


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Carlos Van Camp <carlos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tesla <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2010 7:31 am
Subject: [TCML] Massive VTTC!!!


Hi guys (and gals),

I have been building a VERY large VTTC for the past 2 years, and I am in the 

final stages of testing and tuning.

This machine has been built with brand new high power components and has an 

input power capacity of upto 50kw.

The valve is a tetrode (4CX15000a) with a plate dissapation of upto 15kw.

I am an experienced builder of large SGTC, but fairly new to valve coils.

The trouble is that dispite an input of 30-35kw of power (CW mode), I am only 

achieving arcs 2-3 foot long (6 arcs at once coming off the top electrode).

I understand that VTTC's make much shorter arcs for the power applied, but I 

have heard of people making arcs 8 ft long with less power than I have 

available...

So... What am I doing wrong...?



Does using a stacatto system truely make arcs longer...? Or does it just reduce 

the input power?



Does any body have practical experience using thyratrons in place of spark gaps, 

and would one be suitable to produce a musical coil? (ie changing pulse rate to 

play tunes etc)



Thanks,



Carlos.

_
 
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