Re: chokes and caps

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: chokes and caps
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997 00:10:22 -0600
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net


From: 	Bert Hickman[SMTP:bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com]
Reply To: 	bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com
Sent: 	Sunday, November 30, 1997 6:46 PM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: chokes and caps

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> From:   Matthew Mills[SMTP:megavolt-at-usa-dot-net]
> Reply To:       megavolt-at-usa-dot-net
> Sent:   Sunday, November 30, 1997 2:05 PM
> To:     Tesla List
> Subject:        chokes and caps
> 
> Hi, I have got my hands on several large two lead ballasts from mercury
> vapour lamps 400W-at-250V and the large rolled polypropylene caps
> (30uF-at-250V) I was wondering whether I can use the ballasts as chokes
> (they are just like a transformer with only one winding) and if I can
> use the caps for PFC capacitors.

You may be able to use the ballasts AS ballast inductors if you are
powering your system from a non-current limited transformer. However,
you may need to connect these in parallel in order to be able to pass
the desired level of current through them. 
> 
> These also have a brown/black/green (1M?) resistor across the terminals
> I guess as a drain.
> 
> They seem to be in the "ballpark" (hope I've used this term in the right
> context) for PFC caps
> 
> do I place them parallel to my neons or parallel to my Variac?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Matt

You'd normally connect the PFC's in parallel with the neon primary to
reduce the current load on both your variac and the incoming line. They
are a little low on the voltage rating - typically you should use caps
with a voltage rating of about 3X the incoming RMS voltage - say 330
VAC. Connect them in parallel with your neon(s) and try them out!

Safe coilin' to you!-at-

-- Bert --