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Registered Member #3768
Joined: Tue Mar 22 2011, 12:46AM
Location:
Posts: 107
Hello, I am very frustrated at the moment. My spark gap Tesla coil is not producing any sparks from the secondary. I am using a 15kV NST, a rotary spark gap, and a 9.3nF capacitor bank, with this secondary: it says it should resonate at 9.3nF at 9 or 10 turns... . It makes loud bang sparks from the rotary spark gap, so I can assume the capacitor bank is charging. I will post pictures later when I come back home. I am assuming it has something to do with the primary and secondary positioning or something. I am really frustrated by this, considering all the time and effort I have put into this. It is quite saddening and disheartening actually when it doesn't work... EDIT: Pictures: Also I'm using a counterpoise ground which is just the bottom of the secondary and the strike ring connected to this 4'x3' chicken wire sheet.
Registered Member #15
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068
What kind of spark gap are you using? SRSG or ARSG?
You might have too much gap distance in your spark gap. For example, the break-down is not ocurring until the capacitors are way overcharged which is why you are hearing the loud bangs.
I have had this before, but honestly, its been so long since i've built and operated a spark gap coil that i kind of forget what my particular issue was when i had those loud bangs too.
Registered Member #10052
Joined: Thu Feb 07 2013, 11:31PM
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 78
Unless you are running a very high breakrate, AC coils should run SRSGs (synchronous rotary spark gaps) You may be using this type of gap, I can't tell.
Richie's site provides the best explanation
I try to explain the way it works in my own coil in this video
For now I would shut off the motor (turn your rotary gap into a static gap with two gaps), and tighten up the gaps to around 1/8" each. It should be easier to troubleshoot from there.
Registered Member #3768
Joined: Tue Mar 22 2011, 12:46AM
Location:
Posts: 107
HighVoltageFeathers wrote ...
Unless you are running a very high breakrate, AC coils should run SRSGs (synchronous rotary spark gaps) You may be using this type of gap, I can't tell.
Richie's site provides the best explanation
I try to explain the way it works in my own coil in this video
For now I would shut off the motor (turn your rotary gap into a static gap with two gaps), and tighten up the gaps to around 1/8" each. It should be easier to troubleshoot from there.
Alright I will try using it as a static gap for now, but is the spacing of the secondary from the primary alright?
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Spark gap Tesla coil not working...
