Re: pig ballasting

• To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
• Subject: Re: pig ballasting
• From: "Barton B. Anderson" <tesla123-at-pacbell-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
• Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 12:46:07 -0700
• Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
• Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme

> Original Poster: CTCDW-at-aol-dot-com

Hi Chris,

I'm not sure what's the "best" or "convenient", but I use a 30A variac in
series
with a 2.5 ohm resistor.

The variac is just another means of "control". I bring up my line voltage then
bring up the variac current ballast keeping the current lower than my breaker
circuit. I have found there is usually a ballast point the coil "enjoys". The
resistor was a 10 ohm (about 20" x 3" - BIG). I cut it in half then paralleled
for 2.5 ohms. I've noticed the coil just runs "smooth" with the added
resistance. For me, it made a difference. All in all, this is a very easy set
up. One thing about a current ballast variac - it can heat up at high power
runs
or long duration runs.

Of course, if you have a welder just sitting there, the "convenience" is
obvious.

Bart

>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I have now heard about resistive ballasting, inductive ballasting, and both
> at the same time. Ok, all, lets hear it....which is best, and which is the
> most convenient? I would think it is inductive ballasting, since nothing is
> (hopefully) :) getting hot, and a tub full of water for the heating elements
> is, how shall we say, prone to spill.....  Thanks for any advice in the
> matter.
>
> chris

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