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Re: [TCML] trigatron tube
Clive Hansen wrote:
Hello All,
Has anybody tried using a trigatron tube instead of a traditional
spark gap? What would be the advantages/disadvantages of this?
-Clive
Hi Clive,
There has been some work done in this area. Check the TCML archives at
www.pupman.com for various "Triggered Gap" or "STSG" (Synchronous
Triggered Spark Gap) threads. Also, see the writeup by Ted Rosenberg on
Bart Anderson's site (below). Former Tesla coiler Mark Metlicka is
credited with initially applying a triggered gap with a Tesla coil.
(Unfortunately, Mark died in 2004). Much of the initial testing occurred
in the 2001-2002 time frame. A number of folks have subsequently
evolved/refined the STSG approach. Following are some URL's you may find
useful:
http://www.classictesla.com/download/tgap.pdf
http://hot-streamer.com/TeslaCoils/Misc/MarcMetlicka-STSG/
http://www.macinhouse.com/tesla/triggered_gap/stsg.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~mjstrube/Tesla/tsg.html
http://kb3ewy.com:8000/old/4inchcoil.htm
In practice, the main gap spacing must be large enough so that it does
not spontaneously "self trigger". The triggering voltage is typically of
the order of 40-50 kV to insure reliable triggering. Most coilers use an
ignition coil driven from a pulsed synchronous source. The added spark
gap length appears to aid somewhat in quenching, especially when used in
combination with high velocity air flow. However, the longer gap length
also adds to the "on" state voltage drop (positive arc column voltage
drop scales with gap length), contributing to higher primary losses. he
longer gap also makes for very loud gap operation. The tank cap should
be sized to be Larger Than Resonant (LTR) to prevent accidental
overvolting if the gap fails to trigger properly or if trigger phasing
is wrong.
Results with Tesla Coils have been good. When used with an appropriately
synchronized trigger source, performance of a well cooled triggered
static gap approaches that of a single gap cooled with a high velocity
air blast or vacuum, or of a synchronous rotary gap. Because of erosion,
the trigger electrode should be fairly robust to prolong stable
operating life - trigatron lifetime is limited by trigger electrode
erosion. Operation at higher power levels will be limited by your
capability to adequately cool the main gap electrodes. However, it
should be possible to synchronously trigger a wider-spaced
multi-electrode copper pipe static gap to handle higher power levels.
Bert
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