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Re: Big Powerstats was RE: Unknown Powerstats
Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com>
Dan & Adam:
I would definitely NOT use your triple stack variac with the hand control
wheel. If there is a short circuit or variac flashover, this means a
tremendous "flash explosion" which would severly burn or kill anyone near
it. The fireball predicted at 20 kVA is over 8 feet in dia. and the
flashburn would be very nasty especially if you are facing the unit. You
would probably never see again.
When going beyond a single variac you might consider rigging up a small DC
gearmotor for remote control of this unit. We do this on all variacs above
a double stack. Being close is case of a short is too dangerous at these
power levels.
You can rig a small gearmotor and use standard bike chains and sprockets to
rig up a motor drive.
If you want to proceed in this manner I could send you a few digital photos
of our gearmotor rig using standard Grainger gearmotor and bike sprockets
with chain drive and a few microswitches as limit switches.
It's a little more work but it only takes one incident to severly burn you.
Life is too short to go up in a fireball while enjoying your hobby.
Dr. Resonance
Resonance Research Corporation
E11870 Shadylane Rd.
Baraboo WI 53913
>
> I got a better deal than both of you!
> I recently picked up a triple stack of GE Variacs for $120.00 !
> Of course I probably ruined my car transporting it home.
> Each variac of the triple stack is rated at 0-520VAC, 32A, 60Hz !
>
> http://users.snip-dot-net/~liche/powerstat01.jpg
>
> Ganged up, i could easily push 200A (short duty) or 100A (continous) for
> controlling
> a pole transformer coil etc... I'm going to mount these on a dolly and
> then have a big racing car type
> steering wheel on top for the control handle! At least, until i have a
> house and can mount in a large rack-mount
> enclosure.
>
> The Captain
>