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Re: Furnace transformer
From: Kevin Radtke[SMTP:umradtke-at-cc.UManitoba.CA]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 1997 3:07 AM
To: Tesla List
Subject: Re: Furnace transformer
On Sun, 2 Nov 1997, Tesla List wrote:
>
> From: Pascal LeBlanc[SMTP:illusio-at-nbnet.nb.ca]
> Sent: Sunday, November 02, 1997 10:27 AM
> To: Tesla List
> Subject: oil Furnace transformer
>
> Hey there,
>
> I'm kinda new around here, kinda building my first coil... (no need to say more I think uh? ;) well I'm thinking of using an oil furnace transformer to drive my primary but I think the transformer is not working properly, it says it's rated at 10Kv/23ma. 10kv, sparks from the transformer alone should be about how long? right now they're about 1 millimeter long, shouldn't it be like half an inch long or so?
>
> Thanks,
> Pascal
>
>
>
>
Pascal,
Hey this is great you asked a question that I can attempt to answer.
Doesn't happen often. :) I'm using an 10 kV 23mA Oil furnace transformer
as well for my coil and it works really well. I believe you are exactly
correct in thinking your transformer is not performing as it was
originally intended to. My transformer would arc across 1/2" safety gap.
Or I should say it used to since I installed a new syncronous rotary
spark gap earlier this week and "wasted" my transformer. Now it will
only arc across a 3 or 4mm gap and its output current has been
drastically reduced. After you run the transformer for a while, unplug
it (short your capacitor) and touch the sides to see if there's a warm
spot. That's what I'm getting now, internal short. You can try "baking"
the transformer in the oven at about 250-300 F to melt the tar and try to
repair it, but this didn't work to fix mine. Best bet is to get a new
one. Have it tested before you pay for it though. Good luck.
Kevin Radtke