Re: Neons

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Neons
From: RODERICK MAXWELL <major-at-vicksburg-dot-com>
Date: Sun, 18 Aug 1996 09:52:49 -0500
Tesla List wrote:
> 
> > Subject: Neons
> 
> >From hullr-at-whitlock-dot-comFri Aug 16 13:40:34 1996
> Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 10:20:34 -0700
> From: Richard Hull <hullr-at-whitlock-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Neons
> 
> Tesla List wrote:
> >
> > >From kcravens-at-sound-dot-netThu Aug 15 21:12:55 1996
> > Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 17:38:41 -0500 (CDT)
> > From: Ken Cravens <kcravens-at-sound-dot-net>
> > To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> > Subject: Neons
> >
> > Hey Fellow coilers,
> > Here's an easy one...I'm parallel'n some neon xformers that are all the same
> > model (Jeffersons) and though they are physically identical, some are out of
> > phase with the others and I have to cross-wire the odd ones. In other words,
> > instead of terminal A to A to A and B to B to B,  its ABA and BAB (wish I
> > knew ascii art) So... on the "one" tranny that is different, do i also cross
> > over the secondaries? Or do they only have to be "in phase" on the primary
> > side? I never learned the electrical "basics", so any and all info on
> > transformers hows and whys will be avidly devoured. :o) Thanks in advance!
> >
> >                            Ken "electronics 101" Cravens
> >
> > [ You should have all the high voltage ends in phase, so that there
> >   is a straight wire along both sides.  This avoids crossing over
> >   transformers and looks tidier.  All you have to do is cross the inputs.
> >   -- Chip ]
> 
> ALL,
> 
> Again, Chip remembers an earlier post of mine.  Align all high voltage
> leads and knobs so they are "purdy" and straight!  Cross over and rat's
> nest accordingly, to bring all in phase, all low voltage primary leads.
> Do this transformer by transformer (see my earlier post) never with an
> entire line!
> 
> It appears that every day is a new day in the Neon sign Xfrmer business
> and the primary/secondary phasing is never done the same way twice in the
> same model.
> 
> Finally, it is always only necessary to change only one side of any
> trnasformer to bring it in phase.  Always fart around with the low
> voltage side only!!


    How do you test the transformers to ensure that they are in phase?

[ Just replying here for convenience.
  You need to make a guess at the phasing of the low voltage inputs first, and
  just connect them as you guess.
  Next, connect the HV leads from one side of each transformer.  Then take 
  a piece of high voltage wire, hold it with a stick and masking tape, or
  some other suitable method of insulating yourself and touch the wire to the
  other unconnected HV lead.  If you see just a tiny crackly spark, your
  transformers are in correct phase.  If you see a big bushy humming spark
  that looks like fire, you are out of phase.
  If in phase, you're done.  
  If out of phase, shut off the power and reverse the low voltage leads to
  one transformer.
  -- Chip ]