Creat your own spark?(what about the second coil)
Creat your own spark?(what about the second coil)
In the step by step guide they say that you should put wax paper between each layer of the secondery coil do they meen that you should do zig-zag with the secodery coil or that you should put wax paper between each turn of the secodary coil?
-
Craig_Bridge
- Former Expert
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:47 am
"Layer" as in a "multi-layer" coil. Multi-layer coils are wrapped with the first layer directly on the insulating coil form (PVC pipe in this case). You start near one end (leaving at least enough space to secure the end with tape) and space turns as close together as possible until you get close to the other end (or whatever coil length you want to use). At this point, you start the next layer on top of the previous layer and wrap back to the original starting point where you reverse again and again for as many layers as you need.
With lower voltage application coils, the insulation on the wire itself is sufficient to keep from breaking down between layers. With high voltage coils like the one you are building, the enamel on the wire is not sufficient, so you need to use another insulator between layers.
In this case, waxed paper was the recommendation. Plastic wrap would be another alternative. So what you need to do is wrap an insulation layer over the coil before reversing directions for the next layer. The insulation needs to overlap so there is no gap and the insulation needs to extend at least 1/8 inch past the end of the coil. Using tape to hold the insulation in place at the ends eliminates potential break downs that might arc between non-adjacent layers and can be used to hold the coil together.
You don't need additional insulation between adjacent turns in the same layer because the induced voltage in a single turn is much less than the breakdown voltage of the enamel; however, if you have say 1000 turns per layer, then you have 2000 turns times the voltage induced per turn which is about what the breakdown voltage of enamel is. Since both turns have enamel on them, you are probably ok unless there are nicks or cracks in the enamel in either layer. If there is, a breakdown is likely. Increase the coil length to 2000 turns per layer and you don't need a a nick, crack, or pin hole to arc.
The above assumes you your primary consists of 12 turns and you are using a 6 volt battery so you are operating at about 1/2 v/turn. A higher voltage battery increase the between layer insluation requirements.
With lower voltage application coils, the insulation on the wire itself is sufficient to keep from breaking down between layers. With high voltage coils like the one you are building, the enamel on the wire is not sufficient, so you need to use another insulator between layers.
In this case, waxed paper was the recommendation. Plastic wrap would be another alternative. So what you need to do is wrap an insulation layer over the coil before reversing directions for the next layer. The insulation needs to overlap so there is no gap and the insulation needs to extend at least 1/8 inch past the end of the coil. Using tape to hold the insulation in place at the ends eliminates potential break downs that might arc between non-adjacent layers and can be used to hold the coil together.
You don't need additional insulation between adjacent turns in the same layer because the induced voltage in a single turn is much less than the breakdown voltage of the enamel; however, if you have say 1000 turns per layer, then you have 2000 turns times the voltage induced per turn which is about what the breakdown voltage of enamel is. Since both turns have enamel on them, you are probably ok unless there are nicks or cracks in the enamel in either layer. If there is, a breakdown is likely. Increase the coil length to 2000 turns per layer and you don't need a a nick, crack, or pin hole to arc.
The above assumes you your primary consists of 12 turns and you are using a 6 volt battery so you are operating at about 1/2 v/turn. A higher voltage battery increase the between layer insluation requirements.
-Craig