 220/240V Model T Ignition Coil / 1/2" Spark Induction Coil: A slight "Tesla-ization" of the circuit produces some scary 2" flames!  Click here for a 30 second movie!  The electromagnet used for these photos ranged from a small Violet Ray coil to a small reactance coil. Power consumption was around 1 - 1.5A from the 220 mains. The condenser was a .5 mfd. The spark gap was from 3/8" tungsten contacts carefully spaced from .0005" - .0015" apart. The de-tarred Model T Coil was placed in a bowl of Soybean Oil. (Okay, so I ran out of Mineral Oil!) I quit using Boiled Linseed Oil because today after work my little shop was a whopping 116 degrees at 5:00 pm. South Florida, go figure!  Not a discharge you want to touch!   The arc starts to bow and flaming sparks can be seen interposed.   A slight draft will cause the arc to distort into sparks...  Blowing on the arc creates a beautiful ribbon discharge. Still photos are below of this phenomenon.           Same coil with only .05 mfd (ten times less).  A standard Ford Model T Coil removed from the tar...  An accidental flash photo showing the arc in the middle of the flame. |