Cleaned up variac

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

Original poster: "Terry Fritz" <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>

Hi All,

While testing a NST for a friend's kid wanting to make a coil for a science 
fair (tis the "science fair season"... ;-)), I 'somehow' miss-wired the 
golly darn meter-o-logistcal-stuffs and pulled a LOT of current out of my 
variac.  A bought new Staco...  I done did burn't a rough spot on the 
winding...

I just went over the spot with 600 grit wet/dry sand paper and cleaned up 
with alcohol and it's good as new :-))  Noting the burn marks, I think 
cleaning the variac contact surfaces 'once in awhile' may be a good 
thing.  They seem to be made from materials that will tarnish with time and 
cleaning may help them resist damage.

Of course, like break rotors on a car, excessive "cleaning" may shorten the 
life.  Hard to say what is best, but a "little" cleaning seems to pay off 
well ;-))  I went over the windings lightly with the 600 grit and wiped the 
brush 'lightly' on it too and now it is as smooth as silk.

Cheers,

	Terry