Re: PT Ballast Question

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

Original poster: "robert heidlebaugh" <rheidlebaugh-at-desertgate-dot-com> 

I have had good results with hay bailing wire as a core.
      Robert    H
-- 


 > From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 07:46:11 -0600
 > To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
 > Subject: RE: PT Ballast Question
 > Resent-From: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
 > Resent-Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 07:50:54 -0600
 >
 > Original poster: "David Trimmell" <humanb-at-chaoticuniverse-dot-com>
 >
 > I would use caution in using solid steel in the core of the ballast. I
 > have tried this and they will get seriously hot! Suggest using laminated
 > flats from a transformer core, or winding the ballast on the core of
 > properly rated one. I have noticed a pretty significant voltage drop,
 > depending on how far you're 'choking' the current. Just my experience.
 >
 > Regards,
 >
 > David Trimmell
 >
 > PS. Sad news losing a fellow high voltage experimenter, my condolences
 > to the family of Marc Metlicka.
 >
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
 > Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 4:16 PM
 > To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
 > Subject: Re: PT Ballast Question
 >
 > Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com>
 >
 >
 > I presume you are using some steel rods in the center?  This will
 > increase
 > inductanc and limit current even more.
 >
 > You could unwind 250 ft of wire and rewind this onto another spool.
 > Then
 > use both spools in series with steel rods inside each spool.
 >
 > This should increase the inductance even more and perhaps hit your
 > target.
 > If necessary, this procedure could be repeated using 3-4 spools in
 > series.
 > You could also rewind the wire onto a carpet tube (free at carpet store)
 > and
 > make a steel rod core (1/4 inch rods) that could be moved in and out to
 > adjust the inductance as required.
 >
 > Dr. Resonance
 >
 >>
 >> I recently picked up a nice GE 1.5kva 100:1 pt and
 >> have a question or two about limiting the current it
 >> pulls from the line.
 >>
 >> I set up a jacobs ladder using a 500ft spool of 12ga.
 >> wire for ballast (as suggested by Terry Blake) and
 >> found that it did indeed limit the current to around
 >> 26 amps.
 >>
 >> I'd like to reduce the current further (to around 12
 >> amps or so) before I incorporate this transformer into
 >> my coil.  Would it be feasible to add another 500ft
 >> spool of wire in series with the first?  Any guesses
 >> how much additional current limiting this might give
 >> me?
 >>
 >> One other related question... If I were to get a MOT
 >> or two to use as ballast, would this be more effective
 >> than the wire spool method?  I'm keeping my eyes open
 >> for an old arc welder to use as ballast, but in the
 >> meantime...
 >>
 >> All replies appreciated!
 >>
 >> Thanks,
 >> Greg
 >>
 >>
 >>
 >>
 >
 >