Re: Variac Troubles

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

Original poster: "marc metlicka by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <mystuffs-at-orwell-dot-net>

Hi Winston,
 It sounds like this unit has a few set voltage taps wired to the coil.
Check the model # for a letter suffix at the end, most likely this has
more connection taps on the face plate also, no? It probably has taps
for 30% and 80% windings, Just do as Terry says and pull the covers to
get the two end wires and the brush taps right (maybe give it a good
cleaning while you're in there). The others will give a constant voltage
at all times.
Take care,
Marc M.

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Marry Krutsch by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <u236-at-earthlink-dot-net>
> 
> Hi All,
> 
>         I just bought what APPEARED to be a 1256 Powerstat variac.  The
trouble
> is, it saturates beyond 120 VAC in.  The new unit is identical to my
> existing 1256, except for the wiring beneath the binding posts.  The new
> unit looks like it uses the whole winding, but there are wires that go
> someplace INSIDE the core.  I can't tell where these wires go.
> 
>         Is it possible that this variac uses a different core material, which
> saturates more easily?  I say again that the two units are IDENTICAL in
> every way other than that stated above.
> 
> Please help, I'm stumped :-P.
> Winston K.