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Registered Member #2375
Joined: Sun Sept 20 2009, 05:19AM
Location:
Posts: 2
I recently completed a relatively small coil, but I can't seem to get it working.
Problem: Irrelevantly small "streamers"- the secondary does not discharge unless something is placed within close proximity (1/2"). The spark gap arcs are minuscule... I'm talking about 1/4 mm (I can't visibly see the gap so I have to use a continuity tester) but wont fire if the gaps are set any wider. When I adjusted to a larger primary (more turns), the spark gap refuses to fire- the NST transformer still appears to work when I tested it on a jacobs ladder.
Setup:
Secondary: 4" sphere toroid, 730 windings 26 gauge around 3" form (approx ~= 12.1" height)
Primary: 1/4" copper tubing ~= 13 windings - approx ~= 2" radially (7" diam) from secondary coil in helix form.
MMC: CD942's 0.15uF, 1.6kV rated- 10 in series. I've measured the capacitance... 0.017uF... a bit high.
Spark Gap: Copper piping 1/4" diam - not refrigeration tubing (I have seven separate gaps, but I'm currently using two in order for the gap to fire).
NST: Some generic 6kV, 30mA Chinese branded transformer /w GFI I got off ebay... horrible choice, but I happened to find it uselessly laying around.
Wiring: 8 gauge across MMC, spark gaps, primary inductor. 14 gauge hookup from transformer/NST safety gap.
RF Grounding: 12" L X 1" D copper pipe.
I've used programs / manually did the math to make sure the two circuits are in range of resonance. Might the GFI installed on the NST have anything to do with this lowly performance? Any help is appreciated!
Registered Member #2360
Joined: Sun Sept 13 2009, 05:43PM
Location: Kennesaw, Ga USA
Posts: 14
Hmm... since you stated that your spark gap is not firing correctally that leaves out the primary and secondary for now. Leaving the problem with eather the cap bank or the transfomer. I would put my money on the transfomer. Transfomer with GFI are real pain to use in coils. My 15kv 60ma transformer is GFI and won't run unless i put it in servicing mode by pressing the GFI overide button (check if your transfomer has one). The reason why it is working in a Jacobs ladder is because there is no ground fault. As in the current is going from one terminal and back in one circut the same it would do if put on a neon tube. Though when dropped into a coil there is to high of a voltage leakeage and the GFI will trip, though you are describing that there is some current so i am not shure if the gfi has tripped or not.
Another idea would be the high capacitence of your bank. That transfomer and bank are not well suited for eachother. Try setting you gaps closer so the cap bank can dischard without waiting for the transfomer to fill it up to max.
Hope some of this helps or gives you idea. good luck.
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New Coil... Problems... Help!
