Re: [TCML] Spark gap comparisons

[FutureT@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 2/23/2008 7:38:40 P.M. US Eastern Standard Time,  
bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Hi John,

FutureT@xxxxxxx wrote:
>>  Bart,
>>  
>>> If the arc distance doesn't affect  gap losses, then yes that would  
explain
> the results I saw.   What is this new static gap that you built?  

>My static gap is actually old at this point. It's nothing  special. It's 
>simply a pvc tube epoxied to a high cfm squirrel cage  style fan. The 
>electrodes are 1.25" diameter and epoxied to another  pvc form which 


Hi Bart,
 
I see what you're saying about regulating the air flow and  temperature.
I sometimes used variable air supplies on my static gaps, with  various
baffles, etc, to guide the air, but they still never equaled the  performance 
of the rotary and the triggered gap on my TT- 42 coil.  
 
You said that the wide (5/8") gap in my triggered gap would  not
result in higher gap losses compared to the shorter gaps in the  rotary.
It seems to me that as long as the arc has resistance, then a wider
gap would have a higher resistance, and therefore higher losses.   
I'm still finding it difficult to see how the gap length  wouldn't
make any difference to the losses.  Can you explain that a little  more?
The rotary does have 2 gaps, that may increase the losses in
the rotary, but that's a different issue at this point.   
 
John
 

>happens to fit really snug into the pvc tube epoxied to the fan.  This 
>allows me to remove it if wanted (haven't removed it in the last  year 
>however). Really simple actually. What this particular gap is  capable of 
>is running a rather high kw of power. I've run 3kw on this  small 4.5" 
>diameter coil with this simple RQ static gap for about 30  minutes 
>continuous with any degradation of spark length. That scenario  is not 
>often performed by coilers including myself. But a few months  ago, I let 
>it run continuous for 30 minutes.
>
>The gap  remained at a regulated temperature the entire period. The NST 
>used is  a modified 12/60 Franceformer which ended up at a 10.6kv at 
>250mA  Franceformer with several shunts removed. The NST is simply 
>capable of  higher power now. Nothing magic. Spark lengths on this coil 
>are due to  the higher power (nothing magic there). But, the gap is what 
>surprised  me the most. I was surprised it could handle the power, but it 
>did and  still does. My little 4.5" coil sparks are always the same 
>(today or 4  months ago). The gap is simply well regulated with air 
>keeping the  temp regular which keeps the spark length  regular.

>http://www.classictesla.com/photos/ba45/ba45.html

>So,  it's not a new static gap at all. It's just we regulated and that  
>makes the difference between a good and bad static  gap.

>Bart








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