Some additional info...I am in Phoenix AZ, the cold start temp in the summer can be 145 F. or more under the hood, so it is absolute to keep the cell tempeture as low as possible. So all of my work has been in that direction. That way my cells will run under any weather condition with out temp or amp crawl.
to answer your question, that device is intended to run 3 - phase 240vAC I suspect ... but yes, you could connect up to just one unit and use it to control 120vAC going to your bridge rectifier ... google a document called "Know your variac" ... should be out there in PDF format ... shows what the connections are ... I am green with envy over your variac ...
Thanks for the info!!! I can't wait to get it running! I am thinking of just hiring an electrician to get the power i need in the garage. Once i do get it up and running people well see some cool video's.
Yes that true no more than 2.3 volts per plate cap, however using neutrals waste power and needs more electrolyte density which leads to higher tempeture, current and temperture runawy, and plate-cell damage over time. its easy to convert your cell to run on 3.5 volts or less.
the trick when running a series cell is to maintain not more than 2-2.5v per plate gap, and never try to push more than 1 watt for every 3 square inches of exposed surface area ... if you design to that spec, there is no problem with thermal runaways or over heating ... I can run mine continuously for days on end and it never exceeds 120F while putting out 10 lpm on 120vAC @ 20a ... works like a charm ...
no worries. I never use more than 2.3 volts per plate gap. More volts means more plates. and more plates means more watts i can use. the neutral plates are how i drop the voltage.
The answer is YES, you can use one variac for 110 single phase. As for wiring it, type in the make, model, or brand into google. There are web sites out there that will tell you how to wire your variac. I typed in the word Variac and found a wiring diagram. I'm not sure how to wire them all together for 3 phase. More than likely you will not need to run more than one variac. I wood keep on and sell the other two. They can fetch a pretty penny on E-Bay.
Man thats one big variac , I wish i could help but I dont know much about those things ......go ahead build ya a giant cell bout 140 plates or so ....run it off 240 .....that would be some major gas ..
yea man! i am ready to go big! I really lucked out on this one! I traded my other 12 volt 60amp for this one! i know it needs work but i think it is worth it!
Some additional info...I am in Phoenix AZ, the cold start temp in the summer can be 145 F. or more under the hood, so it is absolute to keep the cell tempeture as low as possible. So all of my work has been in that direction. That way my cells will run under any weather condition with out temp or amp crawl.
hhoforvolts 2 years ago
to answer your question, that device is intended to run 3 - phase 240vAC I suspect ... but yes, you could connect up to just one unit and use it to control 120vAC going to your bridge rectifier ... google a document called "Know your variac" ... should be out there in PDF format ... shows what the connections are ... I am green with envy over your variac ...
SmartScarecrow 2 years ago
Yea i really lucked out on this monster gem!
Thanks for the info!!! I can't wait to get it running! I am thinking of just hiring an electrician to get the power i need in the garage. Once i do get it up and running people well see some cool video's.
David7900 2 years ago
i just checked out that pdf file.. it is what i needed! Thanks ! now i have to get to work on it!
David7900 2 years ago
Yes that true no more than 2.3 volts per plate cap, however using neutrals waste power and needs more electrolyte density which leads to higher tempeture, current and temperture runawy, and plate-cell damage over time. its easy to convert your cell to run on 3.5 volts or less.
hhoforvolts 2 years ago
the trick when running a series cell is to maintain not more than 2-2.5v per plate gap, and never try to push more than 1 watt for every 3 square inches of exposed surface area ... if you design to that spec, there is no problem with thermal runaways or over heating ... I can run mine continuously for days on end and it never exceeds 120F while putting out 10 lpm on 120vAC @ 20a ... works like a charm ...
SmartScarecrow 2 years ago
1 watt for every 3 square inches.. Great to know as i build my new cell!
Is that per plate, or per each side of the plate?
David7900 2 years ago
I use 4 square inches per watt ... at 3 per watt you pushing it a little bit ...
SmartScarecrow 2 years ago
No you need more HHO with less volts 3.5 volts Max
hhoforvolts 2 years ago
no worries. I never use more than 2.3 volts per plate gap. More volts means more plates. and more plates means more watts i can use. the neutral plates are how i drop the voltage.
David7900 2 years ago
The answer is YES, you can use one variac for 110 single phase. As for wiring it, type in the make, model, or brand into google. There are web sites out there that will tell you how to wire your variac. I typed in the word Variac and found a wiring diagram. I'm not sure how to wire them all together for 3 phase. More than likely you will not need to run more than one variac. I wood keep on and sell the other two. They can fetch a pretty penny on E-Bay.
PeteDog444 2 years ago
thanks!! i think now i will set up for the 220 and maybe sell the other or keep it later tests!
Thanks
Dave H
David7900 2 years ago
Man thats one big variac , I wish i could help but I dont know much about those things ......go ahead build ya a giant cell bout 140 plates or so ....run it off 240 .....that would be some major gas ..
jdcmusicman 2 years ago
yea man! i am ready to go big! I really lucked out on this one! I traded my other 12 volt 60amp for this one! i know it needs work but i think it is worth it!
David7900 2 years ago