RE: RQ gap, revisited

["Ted Rosenberg" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

Michael: Sounds like a path to pursue except for heat disappation and
sparking using steel. Those two aspects need to be looked into further.
My straightline, clamped gap (http://www.flash-dot-net/~ford29/tesla/TTL_SG.jpg)
uses larger than needed copper sweat couplings which are set then clamped
for about 18 inches of linear gap.
I ran the 900W coil on and off all day yesterday and the tubes never got
hot...barely warm..and there are no fans at all.
So while I think you should design and build one, be prepared to dump it if
the cartridges get too hot requiring a strange fan configuration or if the
spark in steel has a noxious effect.

Safety First

Ted

============================
Subject: RQ gap, revisited


Original poster: "acmnovak" <acmnovak-at-msn-dot-com> 

Hello all,
A recent trip to the sporting goods section of my local "bigK" has inspired
me.
Ever use those little CO2 cylindars for BB and pellet guns? Well, I thought
they would make the most ideal flat RQ gap electrodes imaginable. Mostly
because the ends are rounded as to reduce corona losses and keep the bulk of
the spark formation limited to the center of the electrode as opposed to
copper
tubes, in which sparks generally form near the ends of the tubes. 
If one were to drill 3/8" holes down the width of a hardwood board measuring
2"
thick by 2" wide by say 12-18" long, and then use a bandsaw to cut the board
along the holes, those could be bolted togather to clamp the CO2 cartridges
in
place without drilling their surfaces and creating any "bad RF" zones. When
the
surfaces of the cartridges become eroded, simply loosen the bolts and turn
each
electrode 90 degrees.  Taps could be made by inserting some sort of cap or
fuseholder over the ends of the cartridges.
Also keep in mind that the CO2 cartridges should be empty before putting
them
to use. I have no idea how quickly CO2 expands with heat. 
Depending on the accuracy of the drill press used, the spacing could be
anything from .001 to .3" with up to 10 segments. More than 10 segments will
require you to split the gap into two boards because the clamping action of
the
wood/bolts deminishes with length.
What do you think?
 
Safe coiling,
-Michael