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Registered Member #3075
Joined: Fri Aug 06 2010, 02:44PM
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 148
Still doing some fine-tuning, but here's my SGTC playing the guitar
Considering it's only powered by a 9kV/30mA NST, I am pretty happy with the results so far.
16.5 inches from the tip of the breakout point to the strings where it is arching to. Oddly enough, it reaches farther if I don't tie the guitar strings to the ground
Final specs:
9kV/30mA Franceformer NST 5 piece copper pipe static spark gap 11 CDE 942C20P15K-F caps in series for .0136uF and 22,000V (with resistors across each one) 9 turn primary on plexi (1/4" tubing. 1/4" spacing) tapped at turn 8 1/2 24 AWG magnet wire on 3.5" secondary (19" winding, 24" form) 4" x 16.75" toroid
Approx. 15" arcs to air with no breakout point, 17" confirmed strikes to target (in this case, acoustic guitar strings)
Registered Member #3075
Joined: Fri Aug 06 2010, 02:44PM
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 148
Thanks modularduck!
Here's my question now...
According to Deep Fried Neon's calculator, I should be able to get 27" sparks from my NST (270 watts). Is this more of a theoretical calculation that is unattainable in practical application, or is there something I could have done (or still can do) differently on my coil to reach that 27" spark?
Registered Member #15
Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068
Thats great progress! 16.5" is a great result for a 9kV/30mA NST. I think experimenting with different toploads and tuning points you should be able to get upwards to 24" with that transformer.
Also, you said you used a break-out point. Did you try it without a break-out point?
Registered Member #3075
Joined: Fri Aug 06 2010, 02:44PM
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 148
I have indeed tried it with no breakout point...and it gives impressive arcs, but not a constant output. More of a pulsed firing of the arcs. sounds like it's pausing about two times a second for a millisecond or two. I assume this means the V required to breakout is not being hit on every cycle, and is probably straining my cap bank.
While there are multiple streamers with no breakout, they are each a tad shorter.
I have tried increasing (adding my smaller toroid both under and on top of the bigger one) and decreasing the topload, and re-tuning, and so far this is the best I have gotten. I also am about level with an inch of clearance on my primary/secondary coupling.
Any tips on what to try to increase the output?
Also - does it matter which side of the tank circuit is tapped to where on the primary? I have my cap side to the center of the primary, and my spark gap side on the outer side of the coil.
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SGTC Mark II
