RE: NSTs and The Heat

To: Tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: RE: NSTs and The Heat
From: Daniel Hess <dhess1-at-us.ibm-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 14:49:30 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

Re; "But, since many on the list
have warned that an NST was not meant to run "unloaded" for a long
period of time, is there any way I can use the transformer to provide
the high voltage without risking breakdown?  In other words, how can I
arrange this experiment so that it provides a "load" for the
transformer?

After going through all this trouble of getting this thing, I certainly
don't want to burn it out!"


Chris; I think nst's are a lot like retreaded tires; They usually always work
initially but how well and for how long remains to be seen. A lot of it
depends
on the type of service in which we subject them to.

My answer to your question is go ahead and try your plan but monitor the
temperature of the transformer case every five to ten minutes. (Remember to
observe the necessary safety recommendations; Power plug in hand, discharge
capacitors, and so on.) Generally, if the case temperature is so warm that you
cannot touch it for more than a second, you are entering a danger zone. That's
usually around 75C. (150 F.) When the case is that warm you can bet that the
core temperature is significantly warmer. I've seen nst's run much warmer in
actual service and survive so my suggestion is only general but the good news
is that if it does get warm, give it a cool-down period and begin again.

Any time we subject a nst for other than its intended purpose, we may be
asking
it to fail and many times, they do. But even if it only works for a while,
I've
found that the enjoyment was worth it. (And there are plenty of used nst's
just
dying to be put back into service. No pun.)

Good luck,

Daniel