Re: Non ballasting a pig?

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <FutureT-at-aol-dot-com>

Gregg,

A ballast is needed because otherwise the spark gap will
tend to power-arc.  Also a pig will try to draw too much current
in general without ballasting.  It's best to use an inductive ballast.
Some folks use some additional resistive ballast if they find
they need it.

John


>
> Hello list,
>    I've been following some posts where ppl are talking about what it 
> takes to ballast a pig and was wondering this...
>
> I recently installed a new breaker box(200amp) in my house in which I 
> reserved a 100amp 240v breaker for my shop.  Is it possible that this 
> would be enough to power my 7.5kva pig without ballasts?  If I still need 
> to, would one 3000w heater element be enough even though it's lossy?  I'm 
> not fortunate enough to have a stick welder, just a wire welder and the 
> water heater element is handy;)
>
> Thanks,
> Gregg Adams
>
>