Originally Posted by Aaron

Hi Lighty, from how I see it, even if the cap goes to 0, the HV pulse is seeking that lower potential as long as it is not negative and is going back to common ground. Diode slams off and that buildup explodes to plug.

Those caps are pretty springy...not leaky but springy...they pop up a bit very quick. After discharge, these caps I was using spring up to 5v+ after discharge instantaneously. I think if there is some + voltage no matter how low after discharge into the coil, instantaneously, it probably self charges a bit...even if .000000001 lol, that is still a low voltage + potential the hv seeks going back to common ground.

Your explanation of your proposed experiment sounds simple but could you draw a diagram?