Re: spark gaps

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

Original poster: "davep by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <davep-at-quik-dot-com>

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Ed Phillips by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>
> 
> Tesla list wrote:
> >
> > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
> <Megavolt57-at-aol-dot-com>
> >
> > Thanks, this is what I thought. On the first run of my coil (about 8 months
> > ago) there was no output off the secondary. I had the spark gap set at
about
> > a 1/16" apart because I wanted to make sure that nothing was going to be
> > damaged. While I was watching the gap, I noticed that it was an arc and
not a
> > spark (thanks also for the clarification of terms) I haven't gotten back to
> > it yet, but in my mind I have been trying to figure out why it wasn't
> > functioning; this would explain it.
> >
> > 73, Kc0Ion, "Ion-Boy"

>  On the subject of sparks vs arcs be aware that a "normal gap" set so
> close that it arcs is in no way equivelent to an "arc converter"
> intended for RF generation.

	Concur.  As i said: different beast.  Different circuit
	arrangements.

> The latter are normally run from DC with more or less continuous DC
> current,

	Also run off AC, when required, desired.  If using an
	alternator above 60 Hz, gave a distinctive note in the
	received signal.

> and are CW generators.  Have some good web pages on the subject it
> anyone is interested enough for me to dig them out.

	best
	dwp