Picture of Variac

["Nathan Morris" <themfam-at-xxxxxxxx> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-xxxxxxxxxx>)]

Andy,
Thanks for the dimensional comparison.  I have got my eye on a small 3 amp
that would be great for my setup.  There is another 5 amp on ebay that
wouldn't be to bad either.  So many variacs, so little cash!  Inversely
proportional in my case.  I would love to find a nice piece of equipment
like the one you found to scrap out.  Until then I will stay on ebay and
take all the suggestions I can get from the list.  If you have time, I would
be interested in seeing a picture of the 1.75 A variac you have.  (It sounds
perfect for my application!)
--Green Horn




----- Original Message -----
From: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2000 1:38 PM
Subject: RE: Variac rating


> Original poster: "Andy Cleary" <gemware2-at-dreamscape-dot-com>
>
> Hi green horn!  Just to give you an idea about the size you are looking
at,
> I have a nice powerstat 120 VAC 1.75 A variac that I bought a while back.
> It's dimensions are 2" tall and 3" in diameter.  With knob, it is about
3.5"
> tall.  If you would like to see what it looks like - let me know (I just
got
> a small digital camera, and I love using it!).  I also have another medium
> size variac, rated 120 VAC 6A.  It's dimensions are 4" tall, and 5" in
> diameter.  (5.5" tall including the knob).  And, that nice variac I
happened
> to find on my school's "Loading Dock" inside a strange piece of equipment.
> Frankly, I'm not sure what it was - it had a seismograph-style printer,
and
> UV radiation stickers on it.  It also had a nice variac, some meters,
fans,
> heatsinks, transistors, etc. in it - so I scrapped it out.  But if you
> attend a fairly well funded school, if you keep an eye out, and if you
know
> the right places to look, I'd say you could come up with something usable.
> On a similar note, I also found a huge 0-140V 50A variac - perhaps for
> current limiting?  I hope that helps, and let me know if you want more
info!
>
> -Andy C.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
> Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2000 11:54 AM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Variac rating
>
>
> Original poster: "Nathan Morris" <themfam-at-home-dot-com>
>
> All,
> I am new to the list and find it to be an excellent source of answers for
my
> unasked questions.  I am contemplating my first Tesla Coil and need all
the
> help I can get.  I have decided to go with a small DC tube driven TC.
Mark
> S.
> Rzeszortarski Ph.D. has a diagram on the web of a VTTC that he can run for
> long
> periods of time with out serious problems.  I plan to loosely base my TC
on
> his
> design.  The question I have is about the current rating for my variac
which
> will have a 120V input and will have it's output tied to a high voltage
> transformer.  The transformer output to the diode bridge rectifier is 600V
> AC.
> The variac on the diagram is notated
> 0-120 VAC 1.75 A.  I want to keep the components for this project as small
> as
> possible.  With respect to current, what size variac does it sound like I
> need?
> I am another EE student without allot of cash and about the only thing I
can
> afford to order from Jameco is their free catalog.  Does any one have any
> suggestions on what I might be able to scrap one out of?
> Because Safety comes first I feel like it might be to my advantage if I
tell
> the list members a little about my background.  I have over 4 years of
> experience in the commercial electrical trade.  I am not a licensed
> journeyman,
> but I spent over a year as a N.A.L.M.Co. certified senior technician
> troubleshooting ALL types of commercial lighting systems and controls
> including
> High Intensity Discharge lighting, neon and signage.  Before enrolling at
> the
> University of Texas I spent two years studying electronics at a technical
> school.  I am fully aware of the hazards involved with my project and plan
> to
> use extreme caution.
>
> --green horn
>
>
>
>
>