spark generator demo

[Jim Horton]

Just wanted to share the demo for the spark generator in its new
housing. The sparks you see are about 110 mm.

https://i.imgur.com/DfaPJdB.mp4

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[Cursitor Doom]

On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:33:57 -0400, Jim Horton wrote:

> Just wanted to share the demo for the spark generator in its new
> housing.

So.... what "housing" would that be, then?



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[Rheilly Phoull]

On 26/10/2019 5:24 pm, Cursitor Doom wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:33:57 -0400, Jim Horton wrote:
>
>> Just wanted to share the demo for the spark generator in its new
>> housing.
>
> So.... what "housing" would that be, then?
>
>
>

And how did the wire sealing go?

[Chris]

On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:33:57 -0400, Jim Horton wrote:

> Just wanted to share the demo for the spark generator in its new
> housing. The sparks you see are about 110 mm.

Is it FCC compliant?

[Jim Horton]

On 10/26/19 5:24 AM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:33:57 -0400, Jim Horton wrote:
>
>> Just wanted to share the demo for the spark generator in its new
>> housing.
>
> So.... what "housing" would that be, then?
>

The new housing turned out to be a smaller PVC junction box that fits
inside the larger one you see in the video. Originally, I thought the
larger one had developed leaks either from the side or bottom, so
removed the oil and cleaned it, then sealed the insides where I thought
the leaks were coming from. What I really think happened though was
that I didn't account for expansion of the mineral oil and it ended up
seeping under the cover during hot periods. Anyway, the new, smaller
box, should it leak, will be caught by the old that surrounds it for far
less mess.

[Jim Horton]

I ended up surrounding the HV exit wiring from the box with heavy duck
tape, formed into a circle, and the wiring in the center. Then, I
poured in epoxy to a depth of 1/2". That formed the new insulator and
extra sealing. You can't see it in the video though as all that is
shown are the HV wires coming through the larger containment PVC box and
up alongside the electrode posts. It is only rated 40 KV TV wiring
(like used for TV HV multipliers), so I have to keep my hands away or
will get weakly sparked.

[Jim Horton]

When I built the device years ago, it had the necessary filtering. In
fact, when I showed this demo, it wasn't even removed from the shelving
where I have it stored, and plugged in to the same strip that shares
the desktop, monitors, and router. They all lie about 8 feet away from
the device.

[Jim Horton]

That being said, I would have *never* tried this feat with a Tesla coil
I own. Actually, more of a "violet ray" generator-- a portable hand
held Tesla coil to check for vacuum leaks and such or for demos. That
one, I bought new. It would have greatly interfered plugged into the
same outlet as everything else and only produces 2" sparks but at a much
higher frequency.

[Jim Horton]

By the way, for the people who suggested retaining paraffin instead of
going back to mineral oil, I am actually too curious to let that go! If
I can find two HEI coils at the junk yard for cheap, I am going to
simply use an old tupperware or even dollar store container for housing,
and then use the stove and oven once again for paraffin potting. I'll
be able to easily swap out my existing container for a wax filled one
without having to build all new circuitry. So, if I hurry and pot it
before it starts getting really cold here, I'll be able to see how it
held up over winter when I check it out next summer. As I said before,
where I have the demonstrator stored isn't under the best of climate
control, so temps will range from upper 40's to high 80's depending on
time of year.

[Neon John]

On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 10:38:57 -0400, Jim Horton <jho...@nospam.net>
wrote:

>That being said, I would have *never* tried this feat with a Tesla coil
>I own. Actually, more of a "violet ray" generator-- a portable hand
>held Tesla coil to check for vacuum leaks and such or for demos. That
>one, I bought new. It would have greatly interfered plugged into the
>same outlet as everything else and only produces 2" sparks but at a much
>higher frequency.

That is not a Tesla coil. It is an Oudin coil. Much different
principle of operation. Take the bottom off one and the way it works
will be evident.

Unlike a well designed Tesla coil which won't shock you, that Oudin
coil will. Hard!

John
John DeArmond
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.tnduction.com
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
See website for email address

[tabb...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, 26 October 2019 20:24:49 UTC+1, Neon John wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 10:38:57 -0400, Jim Horton <jho...@nospam.net>
> wrote:
>
> >That being said, I would have *never* tried this feat with a Tesla coil
> >I own. Actually, more of a "violet ray" generator-- a portable hand
> >held Tesla coil to check for vacuum leaks and such or for demos. That
> >one, I bought new. It would have greatly interfered plugged into the
> >same outlet as everything else and only produces 2" sparks but at a much
> >higher frequency.
>
> That is not a Tesla coil. It is an Oudin coil. Much different
> principle of operation. Take the bottom off one and the way it works
> will be evident.
>
> Unlike a well designed Tesla coil which won't shock you, that Oudin
> coil will. Hard!

I always understood the Oudin & Tesla were much the same. What's the difference?


NT

[Cursitor Doom]

On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 20:31:15 -0700, tabbypurr wrote:

> I always understood the Oudin & Tesla were much the same. What's the
> difference?

The main difference is no one's ever heard of an "Oudin coil" :-)

[Fox's Mercantile]

On 10/27/19 5:16 AM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 20:31:15 -0700, tabbypurr wrote:
>
>> I always understood the Oudin & Tesla were much the same. What's the
>> difference?
>
> The main difference is no one's ever heard of an "Oudin coil" :-)

You mean you've never heard of it.
In the words of Jon Stewart, "You can look this shit up you know."

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudin_coil>



--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com

[Cursitor Doom]

On Sun, 27 Oct 2019 08:35:01 -0500, Fox's Mercantile wrote:

> On 10/27/19 5:16 AM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
>> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 20:31:15 -0700, tabbypurr wrote:
>>
>>> I always understood the Oudin & Tesla were much the same. What's the
>>> difference?
>>
>> The main difference is no one's ever heard of an "Oudin coil" :-)
>
> You mean you've never heard of it.
> In the words of Jon Stewart, "You can look this shit up you know."
>
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudin_coil>

Obviously. But what I said still stands. Everyone's at least *heard of*
Tesla coils even if they don't know what they are.

[Jim Horton]

On 10/27/19 1:58 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
> On Sun, 27 Oct 2019 08:35:01 -0500, Fox's Mercantile wrote:
>
>> On 10/27/19 5:16 AM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
>>> On Sat, 26 Oct 2019 20:31:15 -0700, tabbypurr wrote:
>>>
>>>> I always understood the Oudin & Tesla were much the same. What's the
>>>> difference?
>>>
>>> The main difference is no one's ever heard of an "Oudin coil" :-)
>>
>> You mean you've never heard of it.
>> In the words of Jon Stewart, "You can look this shit up you know."
>>
>> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudin_coil>
>
> Obviously. But what I said still stands. Everyone's at least *heard of*
> Tesla coils even if they don't know what they are.
>

Actually, the so-called "violet ray" device I have and a "Tesla" coil I
used to have were both made by Electro Technic. Both devices used
almost the same components throughout which consisted of an adjustable
vibrator/ kicker which drove a resonant coil/ capacitor. The only
difference was in the main coils: the hand held vacuum checker (aka
violet ray) used a wax/ epoxy potted coil whereas their "Tesla" coil
used a single air coil would around a plastic form. Both of the devices
operated on identical frequencies and would give a slight shock/ burn,
but neither were dangerous. In fact, I built their portable Tesla coil
myself year ago, using both parts from them and ones I had lying around.
I still have all the parts to build another someday as I sold the
original. And I have several of the hand held coils in my drawers.
Only one is assembled, but there are parts for others. I always
considered them as close to "safe" as anyone was going to get because
the 2" sparks really are weak just in case kids or others decide to
touch one (and they have plenty of times!). My spark generator device I
recently rehoused though is a different animal entirely. You definitely
DON'T want any of the direct sparks touching you. Even when I'm struck
with the weaker sparks through the HV tv wire, I really feel it. So,
other than for demos and me using the device the entire time, no one
gets around it.

Now I should point out that my Electro Technic coils and parts are not
that old and it's quite possible that original, antique violet ray
devices used a different set up as I've never come across one to
investigate for sure.

[Jim Horton]

On 10/27/19 3:22 PM, Jim Horton wrote:

Here's a quick demo of the hand held spark vacuum tester sparking to my
thumb. Note that when I have this operating it is no where near
anything electronic as the interference has had negative results in the
past:

https://imgur.com/a/31XetRS

[tabb...@gmail.com]

The main difference between antique & modern violet rays is the oldies use a self-oscillating relay, new ones use electronics to drive the coil.


NT