RE: Ballast

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Jim Mora" <jmora@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Hello Chip,

I have an older Lincoln 235. Previously, I had a Miller adjust a volt which
was handy as you can adjust the current "on the fly". It however was
aluminum wound and really buzzed at high current.

If you are ballasting a pole pig or equiv, consider the output as shorted
every time it opens an arc channel, we put something essentially across 240
when the ballast is in series and the "pig shorts out".

Shorting the welder output leads allows more current flow but less
inductance if memory serves me well (higher lowest current too). Build a
Jacob's ladder to experiment with this. Each time a new arc is formed, the
current is blasted across the ballast rather than browning out the
neighborhood or burning down your house.

Use 1/2" copper pipe or heavier. The start spark is around 1/4" to 3/8" and
can grow to 12" or more depending on the current and voltage you throw at
it. This is the common way to test the ballast. Some put a resistor(BIG
.5ohm or two) across the 220 in parallel to the buzz box.

Jim Mora
Be carefull, we don't get a second chance.


-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 6:11 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Ballast

Original poster: "Chip Ford" <chipford@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

O.K. I have found a pic of a ballast diagram. I can see in this
diagram that it is wired in series with (1) leg of the 240 ac feeding
the input transformer. Is this the normal configuration? Or should
one ballast both legs? Also what is the talk about running the welder
leads in the open curcuit. I guess that shorting these leads will
increase the ballasting effects of the transformer. I have welded
quite a bit with a buzz box. I can remember the change in the sound
of the transformer when an arc was present compared to when it was
not. So I am lead to believe that when you ballast with a
transformer, You only use one set of the windings. the secondary
leads can be left open, shorted, or have a load connected between
them. A resistor perhaps??? Am I correct. I can't quite wrap my head
around what it will take for me to determine the amount of ballast I
will require...Let's keep talking...

http://hot-streamer.com/temp/Ballast.JPG

Chip