Can a light dimmer substitute for a variac when setting up a tesla cilo?

• To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
• Subject: Can a light dimmer substitute for a variac when setting up a tesla cilo?
• From: "David Hosking" <davidhosking-at-bigpond-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <twf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
• Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 05:40:08 -0700
• Approved: twf-at-verinet-dot-com

Hi to all,
I have read the posts on changing motor speed with a light dimmer and was
wondering if you could use a dimmer to replace the variac supplying the NST's 
to operate the tesla coil at low power for setting up.
  
Also I am able to buy a 500va variac and my coil is using 2x15kv 60ma NSTs
Could I use this variac for short runs with a good cool-down after?
  
If so,  how long should my maximum run time be?
  
Many Thanks,
David. 

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