Re: Staco Variac

[Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jason,

See figure F in the following from Powerstat:

http://hot-streamer-dot-com/TeslaCoils/Misc/VarBack.jpg

Be careful about getting too carried away since really high current can damage
the brushes long before a variac will heat up.  But I think 2X the rated
current is pretty safe for our use.  Mine has a small AC fan blowing on it
which can really help too.

Cheers,

        Terry


At 05:11 PM 11/10/2000 -0500, you wrote: 
>
> Hello,
>  
> I have a Staco 5021CT variac. It is my prized-possesion, as I got it for 50
> bucks and it is the best deal I got on all of my coiling stuff. It is rated
> for 28 amps 240 volts in 0-280 out, 7.8 Kva. My question is: How much can you
> use these things over their rated current? It wouldn't be seeing much more
> than 40 amps  regularly and this would only be for a short time. I know other
> people have had this same type of variac in the past as I have seen them in
> other posts, but I really don't want to fry my variac.
>  
> Jason Johnson