Re: DIY HV transformer

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Gerry  Reynolds" <gerryreynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Christoph,

In looking at your picture, Im wondering what the voltage between layers 
is. Often, HV transformers have a layer of insulation (like mylar) between 
layers to help. A lot depends on the stress level and wire insulation.

I would think you could add shunts (with a small shunt air gap) to limit 
the current.  You can experiment with a variac at lower primary voltage 
while measuring the short circuit current until you are comfortable that 
things are working the way you want.

Maybe the shunts could be mounted on a lead screw so you could adjust the 
depth of insertion.

Sounds like fun and a great learning project.

Gerry R.

> Original poster: "Christoph Bohr" <cb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Hello everyone.
>
> As you may have noticed during the last few days, I had some trouble
> with my 6-mot-stack, which finally lead to a failure mode that makes
> diagnosis very difficult, so I wanted to try something else: Wind my own
> transformer:
> first pictures of the winding process can be seen here:
> http://www.luebke-lands.de/tesla19.html
> along with some basic specs.
>
> The transformer is intended to be run unter oil, but another problem arises:
>
> The core material I am winding this transformer on, is the core of my former
> ballast coil, which means I no longer have one.
> Now, can I incooperate some shunts or airgap to limit the current so that I
> don't
> have to build another ballast coil?
> The core is basicaly rectangular, with each of the coils on one leg left and
> right...
> Maybe someone has an idea here. Maybe even with shunts, that can be moved
> by means of some mechanism while the transformer is still under oil....
>
> I'm thankfull for any suggestions.
>
> best regards
>
> Christoph