Re: Big Powerstats was RE: Unknown Powerstats

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

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com> 


Dan & Adam:

I would definitely NOT use your triple stack variac with the hand control
wheel.  If there is a short circuit or variac flashover, this means a
tremendous "flash explosion" which would severly burn or kill anyone near
it.  The fireball predicted at 20 kVA is over 8 feet in dia. and the
flashburn would be very nasty especially if you are facing the unit.  You
would probably never see again.

When going beyond a single variac you might consider rigging up a small DC
gearmotor for remote control of this unit.  We do this on all variacs above
a double stack.  Being close is case of a short is too dangerous at these
power levels.

You can rig a small gearmotor and use standard bike chains and sprockets to
rig up a motor drive.

If you want to proceed in this manner I could send you a few digital photos
of our gearmotor rig using standard Grainger gearmotor and bike sprockets
with chain drive and a few microswitches as limit switches.

It's a little more work but it only takes one incident to severly burn you.

Life is too short to go up in a fireball while enjoying your hobby.

Dr. Resonance

Resonance Research Corporation
E11870 Shadylane Rd.
Baraboo   WI   53913
 >
 > I got a better deal than both of you!
 > I recently picked up a triple stack of GE Variacs for $120.00 !
 > Of course I probably ruined my car transporting it home.
 > Each variac of the triple stack is rated at 0-520VAC, 32A, 60Hz !
 >
 > http://users.snip-dot-net/~liche/powerstat01.jpg
 >
 > Ganged up, i could easily push 200A (short duty) or 100A (continous) for
 > controlling
 > a pole transformer coil etc...  I'm going to mount these on a dolly and
 > then have a big racing car type
 > steering wheel on top for the control handle!  At least, until i have a
 > house and can mount in a large rack-mount
 > enclosure.
 >
 > The Captain
 >