Variac Too Powerful ???
 

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly bringing
up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one? Is
it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

Diane wrote:

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly bringing
up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one? Is
it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)




Doesn't make any difference.
-Bill

You need to brush up on electronics.theory - seriously.

Instead of playing with nice old radios perhaps Lego blocks might be your
speed.


"Diane" wrote in message
...
Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a
smaller one? Is it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

albert & brittany spears wrote:

You need to brush up on electronics.theory - seriously.

Instead of playing with nice old radios perhaps Lego blocks might be your
speed.


"Diane" wrote in message
...

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a
smaller one? Is it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)




Maybe you need to take your lego's and go home or better yet, take a
course in basic human relations - how to play well with others.

Phil,
Not a dumb question at all. Your variac will work just fine.
I'd strongly suggest using an appropriate fuse between
the variac and radio under test.

Steve

Diane wrote in message
...
Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing
up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one?
Is
it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

"Diane" wrote in
:

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a
smaller one? Is it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)



As stated no effect, excpet in the case where you try to use it with
something that requires more than 12 Amps of current. Then you will get smoke
from the Variac ;) How much smoke depends on:

1. How fast your reflexes are and:
2. How much more current than 12 amps the device requires.

:-D


--
Panzer

On Mon, 08 Aug 2005 14:42:30 GMT, "albert & brittany spears"
wrote:

You need to brush up on electronics.theory - seriously.

Instead of playing with nice old radios perhaps Lego blocks might be your
speed.


Diane is much brighter than you are. I don't think you are even
qualified for lego blocks. Something to do with maturity.



"Diane" wrote in message
...
Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a
smaller one? Is it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

In article ,
Diane wrote:
Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly bringing
up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one? Is
it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

Well, ordinarily you'd be plugging it into a 15 amp or a 20 amp electrical
outlet, after all.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On 8/8/05 8:28 AM, in article ,
"Panzer240" wrote:

"Diane" wrote in
:

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a
smaller one? Is it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)



As stated no effect, excpet in the case where you try to use it with
something that requires more than 12 Amps of current. Then you will get smoke
from the Variac ;) How much smoke depends on:

1. How fast your reflexes are and:
2. How much more current than 12 amps the device requires.

:-D

I'm jumping into this thread late, but....

Actually, there is one other condition which requires caution.

Your "Variac" may be capable, depending on the model and options that are
wired, of putting out a stepped-up voltage. As I recall, mine can raise the
voltage about 15%. It's a useful option, but you must be careful, and don't
use it until you have a need you clearly understand.

As to the 12A limit; 12A is a bunch of current, but equipment uses only as
much as it needs. You can fairly accurately determine the current your
receiver should draw by checking the receiver specs for the Watts. Often
this will be on a label on the rear or bottom of the receiver.

If your nominal line voltage (E) is 120V and the posted Watts (P) for the
receiver is 350, then the current (I) should be 2.92 Amps (I=P/E).

Don



Don

Lets also not forget that we never use a variac with out a volt meter
because not everyone's line voltage is the same and we can't just blindly
trust the markings on the variac either. The best variacs have voltmeters on
them but most don't. A lot of old radios were not designed for 120 volt so
there good to have just for testing but one needs to know exactly what
voltage is being put out.




--
73 and good DX. B.H.
Brian's Radio Universe
http://webpages.charter.net/brianhill/500.htm

Brian Hill wrote:
Lets also not forget that we never use a variac with out a volt meter
because not everyone's line voltage is the same and we can't just blindly
trust the markings on the variac either. The best variacs have voltmeters on
them but most don't. A lot of old radios were not designed for 120 volt so
there good to have just for testing but one needs to know exactly what
voltage is being put out.

And lets not use one without an ammeter either. You can still fry an
unknown radio at low voltage.

-Bill

"-ex-" wrote in message
...
Brian Hill wrote:
Lets also not forget that we never use a variac with out a volt meter
because not everyone's line voltage is the same and we can't just blindly
trust the markings on the variac either. The best variacs have voltmeters
on them but most don't. A lot of old radios were not designed for 120
volt so there good to have just for testing but one needs to know exactly
what voltage is being put out.

And lets not use one without an ammeter either. You can still fry an
unknown radio at low voltage.

-Bill

Yes sir Bill you can.

B.H.

-ex- ) writes:
Brian Hill wrote:
Lets also not forget that we never use a variac with out a volt meter
because not everyone's line voltage is the same and we can't just blindly
trust the markings on the variac either. The best variacs have voltmeters on
them but most don't. A lot of old radios were not designed for 120 volt so
there good to have just for testing but one needs to know exactly what
voltage is being put out.

And lets not use one without an ammeter either. You can still fry an
unknown radio at low voltage.

-Bill

And of course, a variac is not the same thing as an isolation transformer.

Michael VE2BVW

"Panzer240" wrote in message
...
"Diane" wrote in
:

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a
smaller one? Is it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)



As stated no effect, excpet in the case where you try to use it with
something that requires more than 12 Amps of current. Then you will get
smoke
from the Variac ;) How much smoke depends on:

1. How fast your reflexes are and:
2. How much more current than 12 amps the device requires.

:-D



Also depends on how big a fan you have blowing on the Variac.

--
Ed
WB6WSN
El Cajon, CA USA

Ed Price wrote:

Also depends on how big a fan you have blowing on the Variac.

Maybe - but generally - how variacs react to overload depends on what
kind of shape the brush assembly is in--- if its pitted and nasty -
(usually because the spring has gotten weak) it's going to generate
excessive heat even before it reaches rated current- and once across
that- then even a fan won't help. Variacs (variable autotransformers)
need care and maintenance like all equipment - and since they're so
simple - often taken for granted and ignored - until they protest by
letting their smoke out...

best regards...
--
randy guttery

A Tender Tale - a page dedicated to those Ships and Crews
so vital to the United States Silent Service:
http://tendertale.com

Well, I use a fast-acting 1 amp fuse that the variac's got a place for.
And 0.5 amp fuse when I'm feeling cautious.
Seems to me, a 12 amp variac will let 12 amps into a rig if there's any
way for it to do so. **Sizzle**POP!...POP!
Now, wuunathesedays, I'm gonna see if there's an ammeter [as low as
100ma] / voltmeter variac on eBay I can afford... can afford to be a piece
of junk when I get it, so I can try again, nyuck, nyuck!

"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Diane wrote:
Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing
up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one?
Is
it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

Well, ordinarily you'd be plugging it into a 15 amp or a 20 amp electrical
outlet, after all.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Variac Too Powerful ???
 

Why do you keep asking this question?
I know it has been answered numerous times.

"Diane" wrote in message
...
Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly
bringing
up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one?
Is
it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)

Variac Too Powerful ???
 

Howard Weeks wrote:

Why do you keep asking this question?
I know it has been answered numerous times.

"Diane" wrote in message
...

Dumb question, but how does it affect my old tube receivers slowly

bringing

up the voltage using my 12amp variable transformer versus a smaller one?

Is

it just overkill or is there some danger to the radio?
-Phil (not Diane)





Simple answer. It will not cause any damage to your radio. All it means
is the variac will supply 12 amps and the smaller one less. Why would
you want to do this anyway?

Dave N