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Re: Ballast for pole pig. (fwd)



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:29:26 +1000
From: T476202 A. Wang 2007 <tangara_02@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Ballast for pole pig. (fwd)

Hi,

For a first-timer, I would certainly recommend an inductive ballast. They 
are cheap, easy to build and (nearly) failsafe. A resistive ballast is 
allright for a small coil using an older HV transformer, or in my case, a 
homebrew HV transformer. But for something like your pole pig, you would 
need a 500-10000W resistor to make things work.

To make an inductive ballast, get some insulated wire, an old transformer(a 
BIG one), cut the windings off and wind new windings on the core.

For my MOT power supply, I use a small power transformer with secondaries 
shorted and a 25W200 Ohm resistor. That setup works fine, and it only 
requires a 16A breaker to run. Personally, I don't know why the resistor is 
there, but never mind that.

Best of luck,

A. Wang


>From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: Ballast for pole pig. (fwd)
>Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:37:59 -0600 (MDT)
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>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:33:41 +0000
>From: David Rieben <drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Cc: drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: Ballast for pole pig. (fwd)
>
>Hi all,
>
>I now a use a combination of inductive and resistive ballasting
>for my pole pig. I have to throw in a bit of resistance to keep the
>inductive ballast from drawing insane current levels and I think
>Richard Hull used to recommend this approach to "smooth out"
>the coil's output. I really don't like the wasted energy in the form
>of heat though, especially as hot as it's been in Memphis lately.
>Today makes the 6th straight day of triple digit (Farenheit) tem-
>peratures - actual temps too, not heat index temps! Too hot to even
>play in the shop at night time with the fan on "get it"! Already seve-
>ral local deaths associated with this heat wave. I really feel for peo-
>who do not have A/C or better yet, coilers in Phoenix without A/C'd
>shops.:^0 Chris Hooper, you listening ;^)? BTW, my inductive ballast
>is a large isolation transformer (232 lbs) that I have shorted one of the
>taps on. Without any resistance, it will draw well over 100 amps and
>will cause the RSG to have trouble fully quinching. It sure does make
>for some big, beautiful BRIGHT sparks, though ;^)
>--
>David Rieben
>
>-------------- Original message --------------
>From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:25:58 -0400
> > From: Crispy
> > To: Tesla list
> > Subject: Re: Ballast for pole pig. (fwd)
> >
> > Hi Tyler,
> >
> > A resistive ballast is less efficient, because it actually dissipates
> > power in the form of heat. An inductive ballast does not actually
> > dissipate any power. However, a resistive ballast is generally easier
> > to build. Many people have used water-cooled heating elements or large
> > saltwater resistors as resistive ballasts. An inductive ballast for
> > something like a pole pig usually requires tight winding of relatively
> > large wire around a large core. If power is plentiful, and you don't
> > plan on operating near your maximum available power, a resistive ballast
> > should do fine. Something else you may consider is a high voltage
> > capacitive ballast. I've used this successfully with MOTs but I'm not
> > sure about the implications with pigs.
> >
> > (Note: I've never used pole pigs myself, but I've read a lot about them,
> > and I have ballasted MOTs)
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
> > On Sun, 2007-08-12 at 21:20 -0600, Tesla list wrote:
> > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:01:22 -0700 (PDT)
> > > From: Tyler Pauly
> > > To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: Ballast for pole pig.
> > >
> > > Hello, I'm a "seasoned beginner" with tesla coils, but
> > > I'm trying my first with a pole pig, and my first
> > > transformer that needs a ballast. Now, I understand
> > > why I need a ballast and how they work/what they do,
> > > but I do not know how to build one or what to build
> > > them from. I have tried searching the database, but I
> > > was just wondering if I could get some fresh advice. I
> > > was thinking of using a primary ballast (which I think
> > > is the norm), but I'm not sure if a resistive or
> > > inductive ballast is more efficient, cost-effective,
> > > easy to build, etc. Thanks for any help!
> > >
> > > Tyler
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > 
>________________________________________________________________________________
> > ____
> > > Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you 
>all the
> > tools to get online.
> > > http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

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