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raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:29 pm Post subject: OT: Old electronics info.

Greetings,



I have an Acme Voltrol type T-2-1404 variable transformer I'm using to 

set up a power supply for my bench.  Can anyone tell me where I can get 

the max Amps or VA rating for it?



I also have a big red rectifier that is about a 6" cube of fins and an 

inductor that is the size of a softball and weighs >10lb.  Neither have 

any identifying marks on them.



Any sources where I can find info on these things would be appreciated.



do not archive



Thanks in advance,

-- 

Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"And you know that I could have me a million more friends,

and all I'd have to lose is my point of view." - John Prine

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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:40 am Post subject: OT: Old electronics info.

At 09:23 PM 3/5/2012, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: rayj <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net>



 Greetings,



 I have an Acme Voltrol type T-2-1404 variable transformer I'm using to set up a power supply for my bench.  Can anyone tell me where I can get the max Amps or VA rating for it? 	


   What are the physical dimensions of this device?



 

  	  Quote: 	
		  I also have a big red rectifier that is about a 6" cube of fins 	




   Sounds like a selenium rectifier . . .



  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium_rectifier



 

   Certainly something you'd want to replace with

   a silicon bridge rectifier.



  	  Quote: 	
		   and an inductor that is the size of a softball and weighs >10lb.  Neither have any identifying marks on them. 	


   The inductor would be used in concert with one or more

   capacitors to smooth the full-wave rectified DC output

   current.



   How would you want to use this supply? Variable transformers

   are auto-transformers that generally deliver 0-100% or perhaps

   135% of input voltage depending on how they are wired. The

   have output wires in common with the input wires. In other words

   they are not isolated from the AC line . . . so there are potential

   shock hazards to consider when using these as the sole controlling

   device for variable voltage. Further, unless you need to do testing

   at voltages above 14 or 28 volts, you would not be able to use

   much of the transformer's dynamic range.



   You would probably want to use the variable transformer to

   drive a 120 to 12 or 24 volt transformer. This will make

   better use of the variable transformer's utility and

   possibly get you more current capability too.



   Getting smooth DC is another problem. You can probably

   use the inductor you have and add some capacitors . . .

   but you're going to find that the output voltage is

   very poorly regulated with respect to changing loads.



   Suggest you consider an electronically regulated 

   bench power supply like:

 

 [img]cid:.0[/img]



   Devices like this will give you stable, current limited,

   smooth and very adjustable output. This one is $75 off

   of ebay. You might be able to sell your venerable

   components and cover much of the cost a supply like this.



   I have 5 such supplies here in shop ranging in output

   from 200 Ma to 50 amps. They're invaluable tools when

   they perform well . . . I'm pretty sure that after you

   spend the time hammering a supply together using the

   parts you have, you'll be disappointed in the performance.



   I have one variable transformer controlled supply. It's

   for providing low current, 0-500 volts dc for some vacuum

   tube work I was doing years ago. Haven't used it in years

   but I'll be showing it (and the vacuum tubes) to my grandsons.



 

   Bob . . .

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raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:39 am Post subject: OT: Old electronics info.

Bob,

I think you correct in identifying the rectifier.

The Voltrol is about 4x4x8. It has 2 ranges covering 0-140 V. Weighs 

about 20 lb.

It was originally set up with 2 50V caps and the inductor.

I have it breadboarded with a bridge rectifier and cap/resistor filter.

I have some projects which require 50-90 V DC and 10-15 amps. I don't 

think the Voltrol will pass more than about 5 amps based on the size of 

the wire on the windings.  But I'd rather know than guess.

How critical is the matching of the inductor with a pair of caps to use 

as filter, similar to the one that was originally used?  Of course I 

would use caps with high enough voltage ratings.  I'm willing to deal 

with the poor filtering to get the utility for little $.  Might even 

consider building a regulating circuit at a later time.

I have a couple of Heathkit regulated power supplies for most of the 

electronic bench work.

One other question. I have a couple of Simpson amp meters, the one's 

that are about 3" in diameter.  One ac and one dc. Are those designed to 

be wired in series with the load, or do they need a shunt of some sort? 

  Unfortunately I didn't pay close attention when I salvaged these.

I regret having to take time on the list, but I've spent hours on the 

net without any success.

Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge.

Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN

"And you know that I could have me a million more friends,

and all I'd have to lose is my point of view." - John Prine

On 03/06/2012 10:38 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   At 09:23 PM 3/5/2012, you wrote:

> 

>

> Greetings,

>

> I have an Acme Voltrol type T-2-1404 variable transformer I'm using to

> set up a power supply for my bench. Can anyone tell me where I can get

> the max Amps or VA rating for it?

 What are the physical dimensions of this device?

> I also have a big red rectifier that is about a 6" cube of fins

 Sounds like a selenium rectifier . . .

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium_rectifier

 Certainly something you'd want to replace with

 a silicon bridge rectifier.

> and an inductor that is the size of a softball and weighs >10lb.

> Neither have any identifying marks on them.

 The inductor would be used in concert with one or more

 capacitors to smooth the full-wave rectified DC output

 current.

 How would you want to use this supply? Variable transformers

 are auto-transformers that generally deliver 0-100% or perhaps

 135% of input voltage depending on how they are wired. The

 have output wires in common with the input wires. In other words

 they are not isolated from the AC line . . . so there are potential

 shock hazards to consider when using these as the sole controlling

 device for variable voltage. Further, unless you need to do testing

 at voltages above 14 or 28 volts, you would not be able to use

 much of the transformer's dynamic range.

 You would probably want to use the variable transformer to

 drive a 120 to 12 or 24 volt transformer. This will make

 better use of the variable transformer's utility and

 possibly get you more current capability too.

 Getting smooth DC is another problem. You can probably

 use the inductor you have and add some capacitors . . .

 but you're going to find that the output voltage is

 very poorly regulated with respect to changing loads.

 Suggest you consider an electronically regulated

 bench power supply like:

 Emacs!

 Devices like this will give you stable, current limited,

 smooth and very adjustable output. This one is $75 off

 of ebay. You might be able to sell your venerable

 components and cover much of the cost a supply like this.

 I have 5 such supplies here in shop ranging in output

 from 200 Ma to 50 amps. They're invaluable tools when

 they perform well . . . I'm pretty sure that after you

 spend the time hammering a supply together using the

 parts you have, you'll be disappointed in the performance.

 I have one variable transformer controlled supply. It's

 for providing low current, 0-500 volts dc for some vacuum

 tube work I was doing years ago. Haven't used it in years

 but I'll be showing it (and the vacuum tubes) to my grandsons.

 Bob . . .

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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:51 pm Post subject: OT: Old electronics info.

Almost forgot. If all you want to do is fire up

 your airplane or car's accessories on the bench,

 perhaps you don't even need an adjustable power

 supply and meters. These power supplies are



  http://tinyurl.com/7dqjkve 



 [img]cid:7.1.0.9.0.20120306104210.01dfb188(at)aeroelectric.com.0[/img] 



 an excellent value.  This 13.5 volt, 28A power supply

 is $40 delivered to your door.  28 amps will run a lot

 of stuff.



 

   Bob . . .

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