RE: [TCML] tcml primary self c

[Jeff Behary <electrotherapy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

This argument is getting pretty good :) . . .
 
I agree that copper tubing would be the best for most coils, but...  
 
http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/2008/CopperOudin/index.htm
Additional video:
http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/2008/6inCopperTests/6inCopper.wmv
 
Its not the best design, admitted - but it works for me, where space is getting limited.  The coil is 18" tall, 4.5" diameter, with a 6" copper sphere on top.  The primary is 1" ribbon, rubber interleaves, 8" OD, 6 turns.  The tank is 4kV 375mA (2 MOTs).  Cap is .1 mfd, 2-series 3/4" diameter tungsten spark gap.  I am sure that every component could be improved upon by anyone else on the list.   (I am proud of the simple spark gap though - http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/2007/ThreeQuarterQuenched/DSC00714.JPG)The power supply is being transferred to a box around 8" cubed.  The whole coil will occupy a space 8" wide x 8" deep x 32" high, and can produce a hot spark 24 - 30" long when tuned properly, possibly the whole 32" if I tweak things a bit.  Without a breakout point occasionally sparks will go toward the primary, but for the most part they are directed outward radiating from the ball.  (The ball again is not most people's choice, but I am thinking of something I can carry with me somewhere - literally, like a violin or backpack).  The copper ribbon, being a compact coil, tends to keep out the way of most strikes, most sparks aren't directed vertically downward.  But I think a lot also has to deal with the low voltage high current power supply. 
 
I don't think this arrangement is for every coil, but I also don't think there is only one solution to any Tesla Coil component.  There is a too rich a history of beautities and disasters to limit the future to any one design.  I think recommending tubing is a good idea in general, no arguments there.  There are probably many coil designs where ribbon would be a disadvantage.  But maybe not all of them.  For Pancake [secondary] Coils, nothing is better.
 
I can always toss both the secondary and primary coils both together into a silicone cake pan and pour it with resin, unmoulding a permanently mounted pair, with the topload mounted on top.  That doesn't seem unreasonable, and would eliminate any corona that may have been there that I didn't detect.
 
Good or bad, I like this coil.  It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is really simple, and cheap too.  I made 3 of the coils total.  I might list 2 of them on Ebay for $100 starting bid.  Primary, Secondary, Topload, Base.  (No tank circuit).  My wife doesn't like them as much as I do.  Well, not all 3 of them anyway.  
 
Jeff
 
> No myth here --- I am sticking to the facts. Physics is physics and it> doesn't change.> > If you look at some photos of Wysock's earlier coils using copper ribbon you> see a generous amount of corona off the sharp edges.> > I also experienced this in photos I shot.> > My advise is: if you are running a coil with ribbon shoot your own photos> and check for corona. Make your own determination. But, if you are> designing from scratch, why not use good engineering practice in the first> place?> > Anytime you run a coil at 200-400 kV (or more) and put a sharp edge near the> secondary (12-24" away), it will definitely produce corona. Just do the> physics or look at some electrostatic plots of ribbon coils and you will see> what I mean.> > I urge future coil builders to use copper tubing --- it's rounded edges help> retard corona. A better solution than burying your head in the sand and> pretend the corona doesn't exist.> > Dr. Resonance 
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