RE: [TCML] Minimum number of MMC strings?

[Christopher Karr <chriskarr4@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

My recommendation would be to use at least three strings, but then I like playing it safe with higher-capacity metallized-film construction capacitors. I haven't had a lot of good experience with ones which aren't axially connected, like the 942C**P**K-F series is. That being said, I don't have a great deal of experience with those capacitors.

> Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 10:51:13 -0500
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Minimum number of MMC strings?
> From: adam.karvonen@xxxxxxxxx
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> In order to keep costs down, I decided to use
> these<http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/B32023A3154M/495-3802-ND/1648119>capacitors
> instead. Will one string of these capacitors be able to handle
> the current in a tesla coil with a 270 watt NST?
> 
> 
> On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 12:49 PM, <zimtesla@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > My experience with a TC running a 30mA NST is that one string of CDC 942C
> > caps giving 0.009 uF works well and allows me to get 30" sparks from time
> > to time.
> >
> > The discussion about multiple strings had to do with higher power coils.
> > Jim Zimmerschied
> >
> > snip
> >
> > I am in the process of designing my first tesla coil. It uses a 9 kv 30 ma
> > NST, which gives a LTR cap size of about 0.0133 uf tank cap. While
> > designing the MMC, I have come across conflicting advice on MMC design. On
> > this
> > tesla coil design
> >
> > guide<http://www.tiagoespinha.**net/wp-content/uploads/2009/**
> > 07/259168-Tesla-Coil-**Construction-Plans.pdf<http://www.tiagoespinha.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/259168-Tesla-Coil-Construction-Plans.pdf>
> >  >,
> > the author writes that  "You should always have at least 5 strings in
> > parallel (increase string length if necessary),
> > because each string has to deliver huge currents. If you have multiple
> > strings in series,
> > each string will have to contribute less current and it will last longer
> > than if you have just
> > one string (which would blast in an instant.)"
> >
> > However, I have seen plenty of MMCs with just 1 or 2 strings. For example,
> > there is this <http://www.tb3.com/tesla/**capacitors/capacitors.html<http://www.tb3.com/tesla/capacitors/capacitors.html>
> >  >,
> > this<http://www.halice.com/**physics/4coil.html<http://www.halice.com/physics/4coil.html>
> >  >and
> > this <http://www.derivedlogic.com/**TeslaCoil/TeslaCoil.html<http://www.derivedlogic.com/TeslaCoil/TeslaCoil.html> >.
> > How many MMC
> > strings would I need for my 270 watt transformer? I would prefer to use
> > fewer strings to save money.
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