Power factor correction

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Mike" <mike.marcum@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

I was making a Jacob's ladder with a dialed-down/ballasted x-ray 
transformer (83v 41A in atm, limited by the 30A breaker and dry atm 
'till I build a tank and vacuum it, ebay special so was shipped ups 
dry to save shipping). Close to 38kV and 90 mA out (making a 
mean-looking 12" arc). I wanted to power factor correct this so I can 
pull more current without popping the breaker (or frying my 20A 
variac). What I don't know is what the starting pf is without 
measuring it (good pf DMM's I've seen are $250+). Most nst's use .5 
as a rule of thumb for correcting those. Could this setup be 
considered as a big nst? If so I think I need 1526uF that won't 
change as the current/voltage go up as long as the ballast stays the 
same (unless I goofed on the math somewhere).

PS - The ballast is 2 E cores from old C & H sales 4500v transformers 
with about 5 lbs 10awg and 2" spacers (draws like 8A at 83V with no 
gap) between them if that makes a difference.

Mike