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should the pvc be loose aroung the primary coil? we are having no luck with the suggested amount of 26 gauge wire. should the 12 gauge wire be tight around the bolt, or loose? plz help
jonathan kelley
create a spark
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deleted-71588
- Former Expert
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:47 am
The bolt has to move back and forth in order to open and close the switch if you are using the Neef Vibrator design.
There are various grades of PVC pipe that have different wall thicknesses. Schedule 40 is thicker than Schedule 20 is thicker than the low cost variety used in many lawn sprinkler systems. This may account for differences in "fit" between the project plans and your reproduction.
There are various types of insulation found on 12 AWG wire that have different thickneses. Type THHN or TWHN are typically thinner. This may be another difference in "fit".
If the "primary" 12 AWG wire is wrapped tightly around the bolt, the ends (or leads) need to be long and formed so that they allow the whole assembly (bolt and primary winding together) to move easily and smoothly back and forth. Solid copper 12 AWG being rather stiff takes a lot of force to bend if the leads are too short or not formed like a loose spring.
Alternatively, one could form a primary coil so that the bolt would move easily inside it to activate the Neef Vibrator switch. This is probably harder to achieve.
There are various grades of PVC pipe that have different wall thicknesses. Schedule 40 is thicker than Schedule 20 is thicker than the low cost variety used in many lawn sprinkler systems. This may account for differences in "fit" between the project plans and your reproduction.
There are various types of insulation found on 12 AWG wire that have different thickneses. Type THHN or TWHN are typically thinner. This may be another difference in "fit".
If the "primary" 12 AWG wire is wrapped tightly around the bolt, the ends (or leads) need to be long and formed so that they allow the whole assembly (bolt and primary winding together) to move easily and smoothly back and forth. Solid copper 12 AWG being rather stiff takes a lot of force to bend if the leads are too short or not formed like a loose spring.
Alternatively, one could form a primary coil so that the bolt would move easily inside it to activate the Neef Vibrator switch. This is probably harder to achieve.
-Craig