Re: [TCML] secondary connections & RF ground

[Matthew Edwards <matthew.n.edwards@xxxxxxxxx>]

I realize that your photographs were deleted but they might be helpful. Maybe you could post to Flickr or similar account?

I am still a rook but here is my best understanding of your situation.

For the arcing between the primary and secondary, you will probably need to adjust the spacing. It is probably a coupling issue. I'd start with about 1" between the two, and perhaps adjust the secondary so that the first turn of wire is near the height of the primary. It may be helpful to enter your measurements into Javatc and tweak them a bit until things look good. Then physically adjust the coil.

The method you described for connecting the bottom of the secondary to a lug has worked for me in the past, just make sure the connection is tight (solder is a plus).

As far as the toroid connection, I'd need to see a photo to understand what you mean by "near the cylinder of the secondary". I generally keep the windings tight with a strait connection to a threaded brass stud. I have seen people wrap a few loose turns near the top but have no idea of the benefits or losses of doing such.

Hope this helps!
Good luck



Matthew Edwards

On Jun 13, 2012, at 6:56 PM, eitreim family <eitreimfamily@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi Folks,
> 
> My son and his friend have finished building their coil, and are troubleshooting.  They have been having problems with arcing between the primary and secondary.  I read yesterday that the secondary should be grounded, so they fixed that but have yet to test it again.
> 
> Our questions: 
> 
> 1. what is the best way to ground the secondary?  I have seen a couple of articles about using a strip of copper.  Will a simple soldered space lug connector plugged in to another spade lug connector soldered to 12AWG wire work?  That 12AWG wire then goes to a barrier strip, which goes to ground.
> 
> (photo deleted)
> 
> 2. how critical is it that the connection to the toroid be very close to the cylinder of the secondary?  should there be a few looser windings gradually ascending to the connection?  
> here is theirs:
> 
> (photo deleted)
> 
> 3. how thorough should we be with RF ground?  right now we have a few 2' pieces of rebar pounded almost all the way into the ground, with ground wires wrapping the rebar.  they have also experimented with running some garden fence under the coil, also connected to the rebar.  the best level ground is in the driveway, but is it better to be on the lawn?
> 
> I had to delete the photos, but if anyone is interested I would love to send them.  They're worth a thousand words (each).
> 
> 
> Great fun.  Thank you all for your ongoing help! 
> 
> 
> Jeff & the boys_______________________________________________
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