Fw: Cap question

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Original poster: "John Richardson" <jprich-at-up-dot-net> 


----- Original Message -----
From: John Richardson
To: Terry Fritz
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 1:39 PM
Subject: Fw: Cap question

Hi Terry,

Me again.  For tapping the primary, I am using a big alligator clip which 
is soldered to three 12 inch pieces of #14 hook up wire, which in turn is 
soldered and spliced to the #6 copper cable.  I figured three pieces of #14 
should offer roughly the same current carrying capacity as the #6, plus it 
is flexible enough to allow me to tap into the primary without trying to 
manhandle the stiff #6.  These smaller wires and the alligator clip are 
also enclosed in vinyl tubing.  Anyhow, I just noticed that the vinyl 
around the alligator clip is melted, and another cap inspection shows that 
it is black from the inside out.  No external arcing.  This cap is also in 
the same location that the other "puffy" one I sent you was.  I think that 
my crummy video shows that location.

Thanks again,
John
----- Original Message -----
From: John Richardson
To: teslalist-at-twfpowerelectronics-dot-com
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 1:25 PM
Subject: Cap question

Hi Terry,

Just checking in to see if you have had any ideas on this capacitor problem 
yet.  I'm not trying to rush you, but the curiousity is killing me.

I redid the wiring to the primary with #6 stranded bare copper wire, fed 
thru plastic tubing.  I replaced the caps that I sent you, and 
refired.  Another cap got puffy, and although the new #6 wires are cool to 
the touch, the primary tubing is now HOT!  I reset the rotary safety to .25 
inches, and she fires a bit on power up, but once things get rolling she 
quits.  NST safety has yet to fire.  Multiple 36-40 inchers off of 
toroid.  I left the puffy cap in place, and after a few short runs, it is 
starting to get black from the inside out.  Any ideas?

Thanks,
John