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Re: Welder ballasts vs. other types (was Oops)
Tesla List wrote:
>
> Original Poster: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com
>
> In a message dated 98-10-08 19:53:32 EDT, you write:
>
> << I
> > use NO resistors of any type with this system, just the welders. Did you
> > detect any operating problems with either my magnifier or the twin coil
> > when you visited my lab during the Teslathon last year? In fact, I have
> > been using Lincoln arc welders for inductive ballast for almost 10 years
> > on a wide variety of coil systems from tabletop to my current magnifier
> > system and have experienced zero problems with them to date. I find the
> > welders to be smooth, easily adjustable and reliable. They do it all for
> > me.
>
> > Ed Wingate RATCB >>
>
> Ed, all,
>
> I wonder if it's the welder that is creating the smooth running, or
> somethings else about Ed's systems that make them run smooth.
>
> I would find it *most* intriquing if someone did an experiment, and
> replaced their welder with some other type of ballast to see if
> thumping problems arise. Or, conversely, someone with thumping
> problems without resistance might want to install a welder to see if
> the problem goes away.
>
> Has anyone on the list ever done this comparison of welder vs.
> other ballast types?
>
> John Freau
John, all,
I have tried resistors in parallel with Variacs/Powerstats and
Variacs/Powerstats with no resistors for current limiting in a variety
of coil systems and have not been pleased with the results when compared
with current limiting with arc welders. The "welder method" has always
proven to be smoother and have a wider range of adjustment than the
Variac/Powerstat method for me. With Variac current control there is
also a point in the adjustment range when the wiper is down to the last
few turns on the Variac windings where the current goes from acceptable
to a smoke-the-brushes and burn-the-turn overcurrent mode in a heartbeat
and cooks the Variac in very short order. Variacs are much too expensive
to treat this way!
Steve Cole, a friend of mine in California, had used Variacs for years
for current control and recently has changed over to using a welder. He
called me right after he had made the change and operated the system and
couldn't believe how much smoother the system was and how much more
range of adjustment he had and how pleased he was that he had made the
change.
There are two examples, but it would be interesting and enlightening to
see more.
Ed Wingate RATCB