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Neons and Sync Gaps


From: 	Malcolm Watts[SMTP:MALCOLM-at-directorate.wnp.ac.nz]
Sent: 	Tuesday, September 23, 1997 2:42 PM
To: 	tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: 	Re: Neons and Sync Gaps

Hi John,

> From:   FutureT-at-aol-dot-com[SMTP:FutureT-at-aol-dot-com]
> Sent:   Tuesday, September 23, 1997 4:37 AM
> To:     tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject:    Re: Neons and Sync Gaps
> 
> In a message dated 97-09-22 22:26:26 EDT, you write:
> 
> << Hi John, all,
> >                More cogitating on the dying neon problem suggests 
> >another reason why the sync gap doesn't appear to kill neons readily
> > and also supports my theory of why the kickbacks are the major
> > killers. As the electrodes draw closer, the gap maintaining voltage is 
> > also dropping and I would think the dwell time this allows makes sure 
> > the gap is effectively shunting the transformer for as long as it 
> > takes for secondary energy to all but disappear. In short, it seems 
> > as if sync gaps have every reason to be the ultimate choice for neon 
> > operation. Now I've got to have a crack at modifying motors as I've 
> > decided that I will no longer use static gaps. Glad I found out now.
>  
> > Malcolm >>
> 
> Malcolm,
> 
> I see what you're saying, but my sync gap often quenchs on the
> first notch, are you suggesting that the static gap sometimes
> quenches before the first notch?  I didn't think this was possible?

No, it doesn't. Without airblast, first notch is rare except with a 
strongly ionized attached output streamer.

> Maybe the static gap actually gives a longer firing time, but as
> the energy gets weak, after multiple beats, the arc then quenches
> at a "less than zero" point on one of these later beats due to the
> drawn out air blown spark in the static gap?  Who knows?

Might be time for the scope again. I've never seen it quench with 
energy still in the primary. I wasn't using airblast as such - just a 
gentle breeeze from a fan. Can your rotary quench first notch with 
no output streamer? Wherever that energy is coming from, it doesn't 
need to be a great deal to seriously overvolt the neon. It was very 
low judging by the safety gap discharge. 1/2 inch "safety" gap 
setting is no real safety at all. 

Still tryin' to crack it I guess,
Malcolm