Re: 6" spark

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Brian by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <ka1bbga-at-webryders-dot-net>

Hi, my #3 tesla uses a 9kv 60 ma neon, i would suggest 2 things that made a
great difference. first an "mmc" will help a great deal, also if you take
the 4 inch tube and wind 16.5 inches of #28 or #30 wire it will help a great
deal. i also found my tesla likes to have top load. i have used metal fan
covers for toroids and they work well as long as you can hook them together
so the rim is fairly smooth. the indentation where the cover mounts to the
fan motor doesnt seem to make any difference. cul brian f.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2001 2:03 PM
Subject: 6" spark


> Original poster: "Shaun R. Phelps by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <shaun-at-visorloop-dot-com>
>
> Hi,
>
> Just given my coil its first run.  It was mostly a test run because I
> couldn't wait until all the parts had been properly built.  My specs are:
>
> Primary: 0.25" flat copper tube spiral (14 turns)
> Secondary: 22AWG 4" by 16.5"
> Topload: 2 salad bowls
> Spark gap: 2 copper electrodes with a fan underneath
> Tank Cap: 12 beer-bottle SWC
> Input: 9KV 60mA NST.
>
> I was able to attain a 6" spark from this, not very impressive.  And, holy
> gajeebers!  This thing is loud!  Today I'm going to make a Richard Quick
> spark gap with a fan.  I'm hoping that will quiten things down and make a
> bit of a difference in spark length.
>
> I have used no protection on this whatsover.  I am considering putting a
> safety gap on the NST but am not sure if I really need this.  Is NST
failure
> a common thing on such a small coil?  Will a safety gap really help?
>
> Any suggestions on creating a bigger spark?  I have plenty more NST's
> available to me, but would prefer to have all other components working at
a
> good efficiency first before jacking up the power.  Realistically, what
size
> spark could I expect from such a setup if it were running at a good
> efficiency?
>
> One other thing.  I notice on my SWC that there is arking in one of the
beer
> bottles.  The spark is actually inside the bottle.  I can't understand why
> there would be arcing inside the bottle.  All that is inside is a brass
> electrode and the salt water.  Since the electrode is already touching the
> water, I'm not sure why I would see sparking.  Of course, I don't want to
> stick my head close to this thing while it's on for further examination
;-)
>
> Appreciate all the advice.
>
> Shaun R. Phelps
>
>
>
>