OK, I just did an experiment. I have a very small TC powered by a bug
zapper transformer. Secondary coil is about 1.25" x 5". Typical spark
length is ~2".
I put a loop of bare #24 wire with the ends twisted together, around the
secondary.
With the loop near the top of the secondary, there was no discernable
reduction in spark length.
With the loop near the bottom of the secondary, there was maybe a 40-50%
reduction in spark length.
Gary Lau
MA, USA
On Sun, Dec 5, 2021 at 2:04 PM Gary Lau <glau1024@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Dave,
>
> I don't know if a shorted secondary turn would completely kill
> performance, or just reduce it. Never had that happen to me.
>
> Regarding you adding capacitors to increase the MMC voltage - I'm assuming
> that as you changed the capacitance, you made the necessary changes in the
> primary inductance to match resonant frequencies? If all you did was
> change the primary capacitance, that's definitely not going to work.
>
> Gary Lau
> MA, USA
>
> On Sun, Dec 5, 2021 at 11:44 AM Dave Delman <doctordhd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I have a simple spark gap Tesla Coil that worked with an 10kV oil burner
>> ignition transformer...until the transformer blew out. At one point there
>> was an arc to the middle of the secondary but I believe that I was able
>> to
>> add extra polyurethane and I believe that it still worked afterwards,
>> again
>> until the OBIT blew.
>>
>> I moved and I now have a 15kV neon sign transformer, so I added
>> capacitors
>> in series with my MMC to allow for the higher voltage.
>>
>> I have never been able to get the Tesla Coil to work again.
>>
>> If the secondary had a shorted turn, would tgat prevwnt it from working?
>>
>> How can I test the secondary?
>>
>> Any Tesla Coil enthusiasts near Monroe Township, NJ?
>>
>> Thank you,
>> David Delman
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tesla mailing list -- tcml@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> To unsubscribe send an email to tcml-leave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>