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Re: [TCML] "Modern" Spark Gap Designs?



I think you will run into a problem if you try to bridge more than two gaps. I built my SRSG to allow for either 2 gaps or 4 gaps. I initially tried it with 4 gaps and no matter how closely I spaced the electrodes, I got inconsistent firing. This is with a 14.4 KV pole transformer. I then switched to 2 gaps and got completely consistent firing at 240 BPS. I have used 2 gaps ever since. My SRSG runs very nicely with a 1/2 HP AC induction motor modified to be synchronous. This is with a 12 inch diameter G10 rotor 1/2 inch thick running at 3600 RPM.

Steve White
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Kunkel" <dankunkel@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2020 6:25:19 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] "Modern" Spark Gap Designs?

Tedd,
A single static gap would not quench very well, at least without the aide
of moving air, vacuum, magnets, etc. However, a MULTIPLE series gap does
seem to perform quite well. Yes you loose a little power with each "hop",
but in the end you gain due to faster quenching. Each break allows the
power to be divided up and is easier to quench.

A rotary gap is OK at quenching, but it only has two "hops" (as compared
with a typical TCBOR or RQ style gap). Plus the speed of electricity is
much faster than the mechanical dwell time of the electrodes in a rotary
gap. So the rotational aspect of a rotary does not do anything for
quenching. Plenty of folks have reported "following around" on a rotary gap
due to lack of quenching (there are videos on youtube as well).

~Dan
Kansas city area

On Wed, Jan 29, 2020 at 5:32 PM Tedd Dillard <tedd.dillard@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Why would a static gap quince better than a rotatary gap?
>
> On Jan 29, 2020 5:14 PM, "Gary Lau" <glau1024@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > I have no experience with gaps for anything larger than an NST power
> supply
> > so can't comment on the series quench configuration.  But based on my
> > experience, I suspect the use of PVC in proximity to the gaps is a less
> > than ideal idea.  Even using a single NST, the white PVC turns an
> > unsightly brown color due to the intense UV emitted by the gap.  I don't
> > know how its insulating or mechanical strength might be affected, but
> > better to use G10 if available.
> >
> > Regards, Gary Lau
> > MA, USA
> >
> > On Wed, Jan 29, 2020 at 1:03 PM Daniel Kunkel <dankunkel@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> >
> > > Hello Tesla List!
> > > I am starting to work on my next spark gap for a 6-10 KVA magnifier. It
> > > seems the definitive spark gap design is that from Richard Hull/TCBOR
> > using
> > > a rotary gap (to control timing only) combined with a multiple break
> > series
> > > gap (to control quench only). Is there a better approach for gap design
> > and
> > > construction?
> > >
> > > Currently my plan is to use a 3.5 HP DC motor to spin a G10 disk with
> > > tungsten electrodes and combine it with the PVC + copper tubes + fan
> > series
> > > gap.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > ~Dan
> > > Kansas City area
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