Steven Mark`s TPU

[Grumpy]

I have been playing around with the idea of using spark gaps. Please do not take this post as a suggestion as I am just playing around with this right now. But you have to admit that if spark gaps work that would be way cool. What else can be used to deliver as sharp of a flow of electrons through control coils?

The hand made spark gap I put together requires around 1,200 volts give or take 200 volts before break over. A 1,200 volts supply feeds a resistor capacitor circut. Once the capacitor charges to the break over voltage it discharges through the spark gap. This is a relaxation oscillator using the spark gap as the threshold.

The high voltage with my crude set up is not allowing me to get descent readings. I have tried gas tube arrestors used in telecommunications but they do not
seem to breakdown at a lower voltage. Tried the solid state lightning protectors as well and they just clamp.

If I could get my hands on some lower voltage spark gaps I think firing each individual control coil could end up being self timed as long as the coils I got are wound correctly and the right resistor capacitor values are picked.

I would like to get a hold of a spark gap that would break over at around 30 volts if that is possible. I would look into using something that would break over at 100 volts. Whatever is out there that could work at a lower voltage I would like to know about. Please let me know if there are any solutions for me to go after for a lower voltage spark gap. They are going to probably end up being a tube with some inert gas. I have seen some of these spark gaps with some radio activity on the electrodes as well.

Can anybody let me know if by using the gas and other methods to reduce the required voltage is going to slow down the electron flow through the gap and coil.

I just got off the phone with Perkin Elmer and an applications dude said they had to remove some of their spark gaps from the web site due to homeland security.

The breakdown voltage of a gap is determined by several factors including the distance between the electrodes - so try moving them closer together.  Commercial sark gap tubes are desinged for various breakdown voltage levels, various gas mixtures, and electrode materials.  I've seen some on Ebay several times - like to ones Eric Dollard used in his video.

I started this thread a while back for spark-gaps:  (no one is interested...)
http://www.overunity.com/index.php/topic,3674.msg61873.html#msg61873

[Thaelin]

   A standard neon bulb will fire at around 90v and the ones that you get from the shack have a small resistor on them for use on direct line or 125v. Should fit the bill and cheap too.

thaelin

[slapper]

Thanks Thaelin. I was thinking about neon bulbs. I'll give it a try. Heck I've tried everything else immediately available to me. I'm just afraid of the impedance and parasitic capacitance.

I know Grumpy that you and many other are working with spark gaps in this application and I agree with you. I checked the other posts and it just seems that the high voltage gets me erroneous results. I am hoping that good low voltage spark gaps provide for better measurable findings.

Thanks again and take care.

nap

[Grumpy]

Oh, yeah!  We're supposed to use tubes...I forgot.

[turbo]

what?

where did that sprak gap come from?

It's ultra-fast rotating fields and something that changes at a certain speed/voltage.
electrons gain in mass as velocity becomes extreme.
we need to convert the mass back into electricity fast enough.(cancel flux,speed up,cancel the flux cancelling action, kaboom)

Where does a spark gap fit in this?

M.