[Amps] series-connecting a split-stator variable cap

[Will Matney]

Scott,

The capacitors rotor has to go to ground, and the stator to the tank coil to work. Generally, the rotor is connected through frame ground via a wiper. The stator is insulated. There's no way of increasing the voltage unless the plates are spaced further apart. If you series the sections by using a jumper across the screws, you increase the capacitance, not cut it in half. You have to paralell them to do that and there's no way to do it. To get less capacitance, or cut it in half plus raise the voltage, remove half the plates at every other plate. That will increase the air gap and the voltage rating, plus cut the capacitance of the section in half. Those plates will come off as they're just pressed on.

Best,

Will


*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 3/19/06 at 4:19 PM Scott Townley wrote:

>I have a dual (split-stator) 20-100pF air cap, 0.040" gap (so ~1500V)
>I need a single 15-50pF, 3000V for a tank tuning cap.
>So is there any reason I can't simply series-connect the split stators and 
>float the rotor?  Obviously the rotor must be isolated from the chassis 
>now, and I won't get 20/2=10pF min due to frame effects, but I only need 
>15...anything I'm missing?
>TIA,
>
>
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