Re: 5kva pig power controller

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

Interspersed comments...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 11:07 AM
Subject: 5kva pig power controller


> Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
<Gbjsjg-at-aol-dot-com>
>
> Got my pig, it's great! 120/240 inn, 14400/24940 out. Started power
cabinet
> got some questions!! If you have a power controller. I have a few
questions,
> if you would be nice enough to help me out with them.
>     -What kind of switches did you use on your power cabinet?
Cheap surplus ones that are big enough to grab with gloves on and find in
the dark.  Look for stuff used on industrial control panels for turning on
and off motors and other industrial stuff.  Mfrs like Allen Bradley,
Telemechanique, etc. all make them.  They turn up surplus all the time, and
are worth the time to find them.  Flimsy little things from the local parts
store will shaft you in the long run.  AB will send you a catalog on CD-ROM
and you can use that as your "wish book" (or to identify all the stuff at
the surplus place).  You'll find that they come in multiple pieces... An
"operator" (which is the part you grab) mounted on the panel will have a
number of "contact blocks" (to which you attach your wires) attached to the
back.  If you buy them retail, you have to choose them all separately.

In the long run, worth every penny... (even though the box will have to be
bigger, you've got to cut bigger holes, etc.)

>     -What kind of lights?
I like the 24V variety... Wide range of brightnesses, low voltage, etc.

>     -Do you have a key switch?
You bet...

>     -If so, where did you get it?
Parts store.. It's a standard tubular lock cylinder like you use on a
burglar alarm... The ones with the flat key (like a padlock or door key)
always wind up breaking off... The tubular ones are tough (except those
little feeble ones they used to put on PCs), and if you bump the key, it
falls out of the lock and doesn't break.

I wired mine up so that the momentary contact key switch latches a relay on.
You can keep the key in your pocket all the time, take it out, apply power,
and put it back into your pocket. There's a big red button that unlatches
the power (and is also wired in series with all the interlocks).


>     -Do you have 1256d transformer?
>     -If so, how much did it cost for your 1256d autotransformers?
>     -If so, where did you get them?
>     -Do you use a balancing choke?
>     -If so, what kind?
>     -Have you built your own balancing choke?
>     -How would one go about designing it?
>     -What is the best kind of balancing choke?
>     -Any tips in building a power cabinet would be appreciated.

Use big enough diameter casters to let you roll it over reasonable sized
obstacles.  The difference between 2" and 4" or 6" is pretty dramatic when
you've got to roll the sucker over rocks in a dirt area, over the door sill,
etc.

Make sure it fits in your car (or however you intend to transport it), and
through the doorways... (if you make it less than 22" wide, it will fit
through just about any door.) (oops.. made that mistake more than once..)

Hie thee on down to the local big music store and take a look at expensive
road cases for rock and roll tours for ideas (or go backstage at the next
concert..).  The roadies have to move heavy, moderately delicate stuff
around all the time, and have learned emprically what works and what
doesn't.  Good casters, solid construction, and good handles are the key.

>         Sorry for all the questions I am building my first power
controller.
>                                                             Thanks
>                                                                     -Max
> Joseph
>
>
>