On Mon, 5 Oct 1998, Tony Duell wrote:
> > The labeling indicates "MAX. 800 WATTS-120 V.A.C." My math tells me that
> > this unit can handle a maximum of 6 amps. Would this be safe to use as a
> > variac on, say, a sparsely loaded IMSAI?
>
> 800W is a _very_ large soldering iron... 80W would be more like it.
Well, it says 800W on the box, but I'm not going to insist it is correct
as I agree, 800W would melt a cubic foot of solder.
> My guess is that this is a Triac-based controller, like a lamp dimmer. Is
> there any electronics in the case apart form the pot? In particular is
> there a 3-pin TO220 packaged device on a heatsink?
Yep, there it is. Sometimes I think you have a camera spying on all of us
list members.
> I would not use a triac controller on a transformer load like a computer.
> The sudden edges in the waveform when the triac conducts would not do it
> any good at all.
Ok, same as what Chuck suggested.
> A true Variac does look a bit like a large pot, but a 6A one is going to
> be about 4" in diameter...
Someone on the list turned me on to a cheap one being offered on the net.
If I don't get this one then I at least know what to look for now at the
ham fests.
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Received on Mon Oct 05 1998 - 19:36:39 BST