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Re: What do you use for ballasting?



Original poster: "bob golding by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <yubba-at-clara-dot-net>

Hi Mike,
    I use an home made choke similar to Richie Burnetts. I tested it by
putting a Jacob's ladder
across my 8.2KV 250 ma transformer and measuring the current at different
gap settings. I then
plotted the results. I then tried the same set-up with an  arc welder and
got very mixed results.
While the home made choke was very controllable with no saturation the
welder started off ok then
when the shunts where around halfway in the current shot up suddenly. In my
opinion welders should be
used for welding. Of course I was using a cheap welder. Better welders
might give you better results.
If you want the details of my readings contact me off list and I will dig
them out and scan them. I
don't think it is worth blowing your caps espesially if you haven't got the
system tuned yet. A
welder might work on a well set up system, but I wouldn't risk it on a new
set up.

cheers
bob golding

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Mike Waddick by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Mikew-at-winternet-dot-com>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I am now working on a Potential Transformer Powered Tesla coil. (2.5kva) I
> now need ballasting. I know of most all methods. I am not on much a budget
> and I would like some opinions. So my question to all of you is....
>
> What one do you use and what one is the best?
>
> 1)Resistive
> 2)Both Resistive and Inductive
> 3)arc welder
> 4)MOT's
> 5)Variac (non cut)
> 6)Variac (Cut)
> 7)home made Inductor (if so what type?)
> 8) other ______________
>
> My specs on my coil are......(what type of ballasting should I use?)
>
> Tranny: 16.5kv PT run at 2.5kva and rated at 1.5kva continuous, Runs on 120v
> ac
> Primary gap: SRSG (not much more to it)
> Primary cap: a .03mfd 35kv Maxwell pulse cap
> Primary: Has ~14 turns of .025" copper tubing with a spacing of .25", 8" ID
> Secondary: A 6" X 30" wound with 22awg wire on a Acrylic form
> Topload: a 6" x 20" Al duct covered with Fiber glass and then coated with AL
> tape
>
> For voltage controller I will be using a 50amp 120v in 0-140v out variac
>
> Thanks A lot for all of you that respond,
>
> Mike Waddick
>
> Http://www.winternet-dot-com/~mikry