02-17-2021, 08:00 PM
What do you folks recommend for a reasonably priced variac? What current rating for working on vintage radios?
variacs
02-17-2021, 08:00 PM
What do you folks recommend for a reasonably priced variac? What current rating for working on vintage radios?
02-17-2021, 10:42 PM
500VA is plenty.
eBay has them. https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-0-130v-60Hz-...%3A2334524 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Variable-Voltag...Sw8UNgHHZt People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
02-17-2021, 11:47 PM
many thanks
02-18-2021, 08:48 AM
Many of these variacs are a variable auto transformer, not isolated from the mains. I’ve been using an RCA Isotap WP-27A for many years. It is not continuously variable but instead, you can vary the out put voltage in 5V steps from 25V to 150V. One big advantage is that in addition to adjustable output voltage it is also an isolation transformer, 2in 1. Works great but sometimes might take awhile to find one!
Ron Bendix 0626. RCA 8BX5. RCA T64 Philco 41-250. Philco49-500 GE 201. Philco 39-25 Motorola 61X13. Philco 46-42 Crosley 52TQ Philco 37-116. Philco 70 AK 35 Philco 46-350 Philco 620B. Zenith Transoceanic B-600 Philco 60B. Majestic 50 Philco 52-944. AK 84
02-18-2021, 09:51 AM
+1 for what Ron said.
02-18-2021, 11:51 AM
I use an old Heathkit IT-1 circa 1955. http://www.w6ze.org/Heathkit/Heathkit_018_IT1.pdf
It does isolate and is adjustable but only down to about 80v and being from the pre polarize plug era it doesn't like them. Easily handles any ac/dc set and is rated @ abt 200w with a break every now and then. Most of the time with AC/DC set I'm just careful to make sure that the neutral side is at b- and couple signals thru loops, nothing with a chassis connection. Sometimes I'll get a set with a problem with hum modulation that's where it comes in really handy. When my pals were reading comic books I was down in the basement in my dad's workshop. Perusing his Sam's Photofoacts Vol 1-50 admiring the old set and trying to figure out what all those squiggly meant. Circa 1966 Now I think I've got! Terry
02-18-2021, 08:34 PM
I prefer them separate.
I have a 500VA variac and a Fluke medical isolation xfmr. Yes, more space, but smaller space sometimes dictates lower power. I also have one boost variac that allows to get 300V from 120V. People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
02-20-2021, 07:29 PM
I use what Ron has, a variac and isotap. Best of both worlds.
If I could find the place called "Somewhere", I could find "Anything" Tim Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me , believes not in me but in him who sent me" John 12:44
02-21-2021, 10:09 AM
I believe the Isotap WP-27A is good for 400 watts which will handle any radio you work on and even old tube TV sets. It is just one unit on your bench and doesn’t take up much space!
Ron Bendix 0626. RCA 8BX5. RCA T64 Philco 41-250. Philco49-500 GE 201. Philco 39-25 Motorola 61X13. Philco 46-42 Crosley 52TQ Philco 37-116. Philco 70 AK 35 Philco 46-350 Philco 620B. Zenith Transoceanic B-600 Philco 60B. Majestic 50 Philco 52-944. AK 84
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