Unknown flyback transformer use

Usual disclaimer applies here.

I learned from my friend Larry Cuffe that flyback transformers, the type used to drive CRTs, are designed to operate best at a specific frequency. Not so surprising really as there is no such thing as a free lunch.

So once the HV ground lead is identified the next step is to feed various frequencies into the primary coil and observe the high voltage secondary and see what frequency gives the most stable output.

-To do this test I used that stand alone Chinese audio amp that I should have thrown out years ago...

After mucking around with a few frequencies in the kHz range, 50kHz gave a very stable silent arc. I assume this is a good sign and also it lands on a multiple of line frequency which would make sense too. 

I wonder can we work backwards and figure out the resolution of the CRT this drove?

Edit: I have since let the magic smoke out of that audio amp. I believe now that I should have included a resistor at some value near 8Ohms. Because I was essentially short-circuiting the out put of the amp. And it didn't like that.

vacuum chamber update

I just humped the big rotary pump onto the base off the trolly. It must be another 200kgs by now. 

Along with that I finished the fabrication of the crane. Now that's all bolted on. So I can take it off to go through door. But seriously I bolted most of it together because one knows how strong a bolt is but not how strong a weld is.

So in critical joints, bolts should be used and then you know the strength without the worry

I have yet to get all the parts into the control box. 

Vacuum Metallising Chamber Upgrade

This is the current chamber but I have been having trouble getting below 10-3 torr. I've test everything I can and can't figure out any specific leak. There I said the word, leak. The curse of vacuum experimenters.

So I'm banking on it simply being a leak rate versus pump speed issue. I'm currently trying with this

A lovely Edwards diffstack I got on eBay. It's 4inch inlet which is great but I'm assuming it isn't keeping up with my cobbled together system.

So when I won some money on a snail race I decided to gamble again and get this from EVP in China

It's ISO250 flange so considerably higher pumping volume. 

This is the lovely trolley I welded up to accommodate the new diff pump and associated gubbins. Today I will mount the control panel back plate. Once it's in place I'll gradually transfer over the components from my first system. With a bit of improvement!

Now I just have to decide the layout that is an improvement on the earlier one. There seems to be a few guides on-line giving advice on 'Control Cabinet' layout. I'll have a read before committing. Anyway that was today's quest and it's finished. More to follow....