RE: Racing sparks at low power...

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>

Racing sparks typically occur when the bang-size is too big, or larger
than normal.  I'm guessing you have a static gap.  When you crank the
variac down, the BPS of the gap goes down, so the air in the gap is able
to cool and deionize more-so between bangs, which raises the breakdown
voltage, so you may get larger bangs at a low BPS.  I've not personally
seen low-power racing sparks; this is just my guess.  But I would also
expect to see the sparks at low power on the way up as well.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA


> Original poster: "C. Sibley" <a37chevy@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> I've noticed that occasionally when I am powering down
> my coil that I will get a breakout from the middle of
> the secondary to the primary, or racing sparks.  This
> happens on the way down at low input voltages just
> before the gap stops firing.
>
> The coil runs clean at full power.  Any idea what
> causes this phenomenon?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Curt.
>