Even if potted in tar, it should be possible to remove, as many here have removed the entire transformer to remove shunts, do repairs, etc. If it's potted in epoxy, you're probably out of luck, though I seem to recall folks trying.
When I depotted, I had an electric stove with a pretty accurate digital temperature setting, so I gave it half an hour at a low temp - don't recall - then saw if it was getting soft, and cranked it up another 5 degrees and waited. I never got it hot enough to simply pour it out, so it never stunk up the house. I scooped it out with a putty knife. I used a cheap WalMart pan. It's a messy process. I finished off with a gasoline soak and toothbrush, but you aren't trying to remove the whole transformer, just the GFCI.
Others have used a BBQ grill, heat gun. In your case, a heat gun might be a good solution, as you only need to heat a small portion of the whole container.
From: Timothy Gilmore <tdg8934@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2015 5:25 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] Dumbing two Smart Franceformers
David,
I have 2 of the non-GFI Franceformers but 15kv 60mA. I found this link to
be helpful if you need to remove GFI:
http://wierdscienceandtechnology.blogspot.com/2013/10/building-tesla-coil-in-9-easy-steps.html
In the Step 1 Transformer section.
Your questions:
1) Can the Smart GFI be removed to make it a dumb Franceformer?
I believe they can be removed but do it carefully if possible from the
instructions link I sent.
2) What are the odds I could connect sec.s in series for 24,000 vac?
Not possible to connect in series since they have grounds center taped.
Never safe for Tesla coils to connect NSTs in series. Always connect them
in parallel and have them phased correctly. Being the same models, like
mine are, they should be identically made so the left side output of 1
transformer connects to the left side transformer of the other. Likewise
the same for the right side. Also connect the 120vac connections the same
so the HOT lead goes to the same HOT lead, Neutral goes to Neutral and
Ground goes to Ground between the 2 transformers.
3) Or could they be connected parallel for 120 mA?
You want to connect them in parallel when phase connected the same to get
the highest current output of 120 mA. Current means longer sparks. Voltage
will tag along with current.
Good luck.
Tim
On Sun, Apr 12, 2015 at 4:04 PM, Dave Buchanan <david.buchanan@xxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> I have 2 identical Smart Franceformers: sec 12,000 volts, 60 mA, both
> serial #'s 1105 Cat# 12060 P5G-2, with center grd, GFI per UL2161.
>
> 1) Can the Smart GFI be removed to make it a dumb Franceformer?
>
> 2) What are the odds I could connect sec.s in series for 24,000 vac?
>
> 3) Or could they be connected parallel for 120 mA?
>
> Regards, Ronous Synch
>
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> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
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