The Turn Of The Century Electrotherapy Museum http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com Poulsen Arc Experiments:  Turpentine Arc Gap / Spark Gap 4. Jan 2009  (2009?! Already?!) Explosive nature of this spark gap / arc gap! This time instead of alcohol I used "Rectified Spirits" - Turpentine.  It doesn't evaporate quickly, smells curious, and has good results! Rugged but simple.  Cherry base, bakelite posts, graphite blocks, 5/8" diameter copper and carbon electrodes; electromagnets. Low power arc... Appearance of copper electrode after operation... I cored (bored) the Carbon electrode and inserted a brass tube with a standard wick used for alcohol flames.  Dipping the whole electrode in Turpentine absorbs the spirits into the wick and will provide an explosive hydrogen-based environment for the arcs or sparks. The first tests with with a high current low voltage Tesla Coil - 1500V at around 250mA.  .6 mfd cap. Initial tests were done with AC instead of DC...(need to make a rectifier). Turning up the power - 1500V at 1000mA!  Output of Tesla Coil is hot ribbon. Click here for a movie! Oops. Appearance of Tesla Coil sparks on medium power. Appearance of Tesla Coil sparks on low power. Fun fun fun!