03-01-04 Fritz Gap vs TCBOR Comparison Analysis experiment by Brett Miller
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Fritz Gap Specs   : 20 0.5" cu tubes 2" long
19 gaps spaced at : 0.014" per gap
Total spacing     : 0.266"
Base/Dialectric   : Lexan

TCBOR Specs*      : 7 1.5" cu tubes 2" long
Housing           : 6" green drain flume PVC 5" length
Gap Measurents    : gap #1: 0.065"
                    gap #2: 0.040"
                    gap #3: 0.053"
                    gap #4: 0.024"
                    gap #5: 0.043"

Total Spacing     : 0.225"

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The experiment will consist of several short coil runs alternating with the use of
each static gap running a number of gaps which will result in the same ( or as close 
as I can get in this case) total gap spacing:

1st 3 TCBOR gaps:  0.158"
11 Fritz gaps   :  0.154"

Notice the 4 thousanths of an inch difference, favoring the TCBOR for a higher firing
voltage**.

Observations will consist of visualy noting the diffence in quantity and intensity of
powerarcs to a grounded target.  Also, a Tektronix 922R will be used to observe the 
efield of the running coil in an attempt to derive the quenching characteristics of
each gap.




*This gap was constructed by myself, strictly accoring to the old Richard Quick document
about 5 years ago.  The only exception is that I didn't have a feeler gauge at the time 
so  I just "eyeballed" it, and then adjusted it later according to best spark output 
from the  coil.  Later heat expansion caused the screws to loosen, so I expoxied 
everything in place.  The gap also has slits cut into the pvc (between each gap) to 
facilitate cooling/quenching  through the actual gaps using a fan.  I believe I first 
saw this method used by Ross  Overstreet on his TC website.

**Also it should be noted that the 3x larger diameter of the TCBOR electrodes would 
result in a greater theoretical standoff voltage.  

- This is not intended to be a professional peer reviewed paper, but simply notes of an   
amateur published for entertainment of the amateur coiling community.