Re: SSG's- a couple questions

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Mddeming@xxxxxxx 

Hi Neal,

    the lower there NST output voltage, the smaller the sum of all 
your gap sections has to be. for example, if your gaps with a 15 kV 
NST totaled 6 mm, then your 9 kV bank should have a total of 3.5 - 4 
mm. All else being equal, a larger number of gaps means more surface 
area of metal for heat dissipation = cooler running & better quenching.

    While there are no hard and fast rules, most people go to rotary 
by the time they go over 5kW. One consideration is noise level. 
Increased power = increased noise and static gaps are the noisiest. 
Another is that rotaries are self-quenching and partially self-cooling.

Hope this is some help,

Matt D.

In a message dated 3/18/06 2:20:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
Original poster: "Neal Namowicz" <mr_neal@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi all, I've been tinkering with coils for a couple years now, as
well as following the tcml, but have finally decided to come to you
with a couple of questions re: static spark gaps.
First, I've seen so many configurations that I have to ask; are more
gaps preferable for better results, instead of just one or two? Has
anyone actually gotten better results (given all else being equal)
with X number of multiple gaps? In case you're wondering, I am
quenching with a small blower fan. My present SG is using a two gap system.
Secondly, how "big" can one go with a coil before it'd be advisable
to go the rotary gap route, vs. the SSG? By big, I mean, secondary
size as well as power input.
I just had some rather odd, unexpected results with my 4" the other
day. I was getting some fairly decent arcs using my single 15kv/60
nst, with arcs beginning at as low as 30% input from the variac. So
naturally, using the "Tim the toolman Taylor" mentality of more power
(ugh-ugh :) I decided to connect my nst farm of 6 (yeah, 6) 9/30's
connected in parallel. I started cranking up the power and got
nothing 'til I was at about 80%, but the safety gap starting going
off on me and the arcs weren't any better, if even as good as with
the single 15/60.
I thank you all in advance for your wisdom and advice, and look
forward to your replies.

Neal.