Re: RE: Contactor Question - Order In Circuit

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: DRIEBEN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Hi Cameron,

Yes, you bring out the original reason that I introduced
this thread. As you stated, the contactor allows me the
option to give the system a "kick" to break down the multiple
SG system as on occasion, the gradual voltage increase
through the main variac wouldn't break down the SG. As
you stated, I can bring the RSG motor up to speed and the
input voltage to the pig up to operational range, then
"hit it" ;^) Works every time. In my case, the contactor
was added as an afterthought because of the aforementioned
reason and is after the variac. Also, the reason that I
had to go with a RQ type stationary gap in series with the
main ARSG is that the ARSG electrode components were get-
ting too HOT when ran alone. The addition of the forced air
cooled RQ type copper pipe segment 3 gaps in series with the
ARSG really helped to dissapate excessive heat build up.

David Rieben

----- Original Message -----
From: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2005 1:47 pm
Subject: RE: Contactor Question - Order In Circuit

> Original poster: "Cameron B. Prince" <cplists@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Hey guys,
>
> Do you suggest the contactor to be before the variac on the line
> side or
> after it on the output side? One of the primary reasons David is
> using one
> is to get the surge required to break the multiple spark gaps.
> From what I
> understand, some of the time when he's just running up the variac,
> it's not
> firing them. So if he started at 0V to protect the contacts, it
> would defeat
> the purpose of the contactor anyway.
>
> I am in the process of adding a contactor to my controller and was
> planningto put it on the output side. This way I could use the
> voltmeter to set the
> variac where it should be, get the ARSG up to speed then fire the
> contactorsending the power out to the pig. I plan to have a key
> switch and a dead
> man's switch in series with the contactor coil.
>
> Are there advantages and disadvantages either way? What do you
> suggest?
> Thanks,
> Cameron
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 12:47 AM
> > To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: Contactor question, Arc Suppression
> >
> > Original poster: "Gerry  Reynolds" <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> > Hi Bart,
> >
> > I always try to energize my variac with it set to zero volts.
> >  Getting the variac powered up is usuallly my problem.  Once
> > that happens, I almost never have problems powering up the
> > coil (even with GFI circuit breakers and no EMI filter).
> >
> > Gerry R.
> >
> >
> > >Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson" <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > >
> > >Hi Gerry,
> > >
> > >I would also bet your coil takes little V adjust to get the coil
> > >sparking. I've had this same issue. My coil would benefit
> > from a double
> > >stack (or even a super-sized variac like Ed Sonderman has -
> > something
> > >like 50A?).
> > >
> > >Take care,
> > >Bart
> > >
> > >Tesla list wrote:
> > >
> > >>Original poster: "Gerry  Reynolds" <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > >>
> > >>Good point Bart.
> > >>
> > >>It doesnt matter what it use to start the "timer" as long
> msnip...
>
>
>