Tesla coil Toroid Aluminium tape benefit

[Jun]

Hi everyone. I am currently working on my tesla coil topload.
I've seen several designs where people cover their aluminium ventilation pipe with aluminium tape.
Unfortunately, I accidentally dropped my aluminium ventilation topload and had to reinforce it with aluminium tape.
Now my topload is slightly more rigid, but with more sharp edges.
Would it decrease the conductivity of topload? and perhaps thermal dissipation lowered as well?
Or should I just buy a new topload?
Thanks

[Mads Barnkob]

Please attach a picture of your topload for a proper assessment of its useability.

Adding tape, if smoothed out completely, will give a more even surface and make the topload able to store higher voltages before discharging to air.

The side effect to many sharp edges is corona losses and you would most likely see shorter sparks as a result of heavy corona losses.

[Jun]

Hi. Thanks for replying. I was originally going to attach a picture and I even took a picture before posting but forgot to attach it.
Is it good idea to apply multiple layers of aluminium tape to smooth out the torroid?
I think the conductivity of each layer is not great, and it would also lose the thermal conduction due to air and adhesive. But I would like to know the experienced opinion as I've seen many design with aluminium tapes.
Personally, I would much rather buy a new torroid for few bucks.
Cheers.

[dj.cosmo.esq]

Well I doubt it makes that much of a difference because the HV is going to creep along the outside of the foil anyways. Best way to check is do a continuity test from the secondary to the topload. Make sure the test leads are free off anything that might have stuck to them. If your  DMM instantly beeps right when it touches your golden. If it doesn't or it's kinda glitchy, just smooth the foil down with the back side of a spoon and try again.

[Jun]

Yeah, I've tested the conductivity of aluminium tape and Its horrible. Evem when tapes are fully overlapping, the adhesive insulation is too thick that it won't conduct when tested with continuity on my DMM. But yeah for high voltage, it would just arc right thorough so not much change in resistance im guessing. Thermal conduction is another story though because there is lots of air gaps.