Great video; one minor correction however. The black lead on the secondary is not a neutral lead it is a center tap which will give you half of the rated voltage if you use it with one yellow lead, in this case 12.5 volts. When I'm not using the center tap, I cut the stripped portion off and coat the end with liquid electrical tape.
(see2previous comments).Also, I'd like to note that after burning up 2 transformers,a switch, & about 10 fuses, as I bought my 3rd transformer, i noticed it was in different packaging. On the back in the corner, in tiny font, in Spanish (I'm bilingual), it indicated a 2A OUTPUT current and 0.760A INPUT current. That's how I found out the true currents. And for your info, when I was pulling 13A on the output side, the input was pulling <2A,hence the fuse never blew. This was using 19 gauge wire.
I really enjoyed your video, how about if I'm going to make 3 bows 50", 40" and 30" then can I set dimmer to three different positions by using 4.5A transformer and 4.5 fuse?
Sir you saved my hot wire cutting project. Not only did you provide a comprehensive way of building a power supply, but you taught some of us to fish! I can't thank you enough.
For any of you doing this project. I have NEVER wired something like this before. I followed his instructions in both videos and got it all right the first time!
I've searched and searched video after video and finally I've found your expertise. You have a great presentation style and a very direct and no non-sense outlook on construction techniques. Keep up the good work!
@Dblnut08 Thank so much! I spent years training people in the professional arena and sometimes those old ways come back. LoL Just trying to pay the hobby back a little since there were so many great people around helping me when I was young.
I constructed this box as shown except, I used a 1 Amp fuse instead of a 2 Amp fuse. As I slowly turn it up the dimmer, the light glows than turns off. Yup, I've blown the fuse. I'll try the 2 Amp fuse. Is 2 Amps enough adequete?
@jpurcha A 2amp fuse is all that I have every used. I figured it would be the best choice since the transformer is rated at only 2amps. The goal is to blow a fuse before frying the transformer. ;)
I similar device with it's own ampere control used a 1 amp fuse after the power supply. I did get an 2 amp fuse and the unit will stay on at full power without blowing the fuse (no load though). Just have to run some wire to my home made bow and test it out again.
@jpurcha Yes, 2 Amps is adequate to cut foam well. However, in order for 2 Amps to create the heat necessary to cut the foam, you must use smaller diameter wire, which has higher resistance. I have found that 30 Gauge stainless steel jewelry wire works best for this cutter, and anything larger than 28 Gauge, (ex; 28 Gauge, 26 Gauge, etc), requires more current than the transformer can handle, and will burn up the transformers.
Hi Crash. I see you connected the two yellow wires from the transformer to the connectors. Is one yellow positive and the other yellow negative or are both yellow wires either live/negative?. Thanks for the video tutorial it's helped me alot.
@CombatSpread If memory serves, both yellow wires are hot. Combining them together yields the 25 volts of electricity. I am certainly no electrician so I cannot explain HOW it works - I just know that it does. LOL
@CrashHancock Thanks Crash. I asked an electrician in the end and he advised me to use a 24v 3.5A low voltage lightning transformer with a dimmer. He said there's no need to use a fuse with a lightning transformer. It works really well. The dimmer switch that you can press on or off is a good time saving tip.
@CombatSpread Hey where did you get the 24V 3.5A low voltage lighting transformer? and how much was it? I wouldn't mind having a higher power transformer at all.
I noticed you placed a 2 amp fuse on the input side of the transformer. My estimation is that it should be fused at 400 ma on the input or 2 amp on the output. Might be why people are blowing transformers.
@13Amped Very good estimate. I wish I would have read your comment and bought a multimeter to test my setup before burning up 2 transformers, a switch, and 10 fuses. Just a minor correction though. According to the back of the new transformer packaging, in the bottom right corner, in tiny font, and oddly enough, only in Spanish, it indicates that the input current is actually 0.760 A max and the output current 2 A max.
@r3kr I Don't see why a breaker cannot be used. I just never really thought about it. LOL Let me know how that works out, as I may incorporate one into my personal unit!
Great video. I've had purchased the components for a hot wire cutter supply, but had parts sitting around for three years but never completed the assembly.
@AscensionFL07 When the dimmer is dialed to full, the power supply will receive the full voltage. Please feel free to email me your phone number and a good time to call you is you continue to have problems and I'll give you a call to sort things out, bud.
@AscensionFL07 What wire are you using? I use Rene Wire, but have used Stainless Steel Fishing Leader wire, NiChrome, and even guitar string with this setup. I would wager a bet that you are not using a wire that's really best suited to cutting (like Rene or Nichrome).
1st rule - If you are blowing transformers and NOT fuses, step down to a fuse with a smaller value. While those transformers certainly aren't expensive, I would rather blow a 25 cent fuse than a $13 transformer.
I didn't wire in a fuse.... The first one I blew I figured I did so cause I turned the dimmer up way too high but I had to to get the wire that I was using hot. I used steel wire while I was waiting for the nichrome wire that I ordered to arrive in the mail. The second transformer i blew is I think I had the dimmer switched wired backward so when I thought the dimmer was turned down all the way it was in fact all the way up... I was using nichrome the second time around..
@AscensionFL07 Hey I have the solution. I loved this video and Crash did a great job, minus one big mistake he made. The transformer is rated at 2A OUTPUT current, but only 0.760A input current. He placed the fuse on the INPUT side, so you must use either a .75A slow blow fuse or a 1A fast blow fuse in his setup, NOT a 2A fuse. 2A on the input side corresponds to nearly 11-13A on the output side. I also blew 2 transformers. I suggest adding another fuse holder & 2A fuse on the OUTPUT side.
Ascension FL07, see my last comment. ALSO, I have determined that on a 16" length of wire (which is what I'm using), the LARGEST diameter wire you can safely use is 28 Gauge (stainless steel - 304 grade - jewelry wire). 28 Gauge wire pulls 3.5A max on the output side at full power, but cuts best at 2.0A on the output side of the transformer. That is maximum current pull right there. 30 Gauge works much better, however, allowing 2A max and cutting best at 1.0 - 1.25A, again, on the output side.
@kram242 Thanks for the kind words! This will be a great unit for heating up the wire on bows, 'scroll-saw' type fixtures, and that new PhlatPrinter MK3 due out soon!
@CrashHancock Again Crash, thank you very much for the video. I am happy to have a nice hot wire foam cutter now, & I don't mean any offense by my many comments to make a few corrections. I certainly could not have even began to do this without you, but once I got started, & burning things up, I kept pushing for over a month till I had figured it all out & measure the currents with a multimeter, tried dozens of different fuses, & bought a dozen different types and sizes of wire. Again, thanks!
one word...AWESOME!!! I already purchased my supplies and I am ready to start building. Thank you sooooo much!
eduardoescareno 1 month ago
my transformer made a buzzing sound and than a pop then dident make any sound at all did i break the transformer????
letsflyrc1 3 months ago
what is the wire called that has the male banana connecter??? i really need to know i got everything else built and i dont have that wire
letsflyrc1 3 months ago
Thumbs up for clean wiring job, heat shrink, fuse, and layout. Well done sir!
VJExavior 5 months ago
Great video; one minor correction however. The black lead on the secondary is not a neutral lead it is a center tap which will give you half of the rated voltage if you use it with one yellow lead, in this case 12.5 volts. When I'm not using the center tap, I cut the stripped portion off and coat the end with liquid electrical tape.
brewmiester11 7 months ago
VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BLOW TRANSFORMERS!!!
-read all 5 of my comments under Video 1 of this tutorial
panther3002 7 months ago
(see2previous comments).Also, I'd like to note that after burning up 2 transformers,a switch, & about 10 fuses, as I bought my 3rd transformer, i noticed it was in different packaging. On the back in the corner, in tiny font, in Spanish (I'm bilingual), it indicated a 2A OUTPUT current and 0.760A INPUT current. That's how I found out the true currents. And for your info, when I was pulling 13A on the output side, the input was pulling <2A,hence the fuse never blew. This was using 19 gauge wire.
panther3002 7 months ago
Crash- trying to e-mail you with problem-your e-mail will not work
motormat1 7 months ago
I really enjoyed your video, how about if I'm going to make 3 bows 50", 40" and 30" then can I set dimmer to three different positions by using 4.5A transformer and 4.5 fuse?
SuperRcbuilder 7 months ago
Sir you saved my hot wire cutting project. Not only did you provide a comprehensive way of building a power supply, but you taught some of us to fish! I can't thank you enough.
For any of you doing this project. I have NEVER wired something like this before. I followed his instructions in both videos and got it all right the first time!
Thank you Crash!
tenminutetaxi 8 months ago
@tenminutetaxi Congrats on your success! I am so happy to have been able to lend a hand, my friend.
CrashHancock 8 months ago
I've searched and searched video after video and finally I've found your expertise. You have a great presentation style and a very direct and no non-sense outlook on construction techniques. Keep up the good work!
Dblnut08 8 months ago
@Dblnut08 Thank so much! I spent years training people in the professional arena and sometimes those old ways come back. LoL Just trying to pay the hobby back a little since there were so many great people around helping me when I was young.
CrashHancock 8 months ago
Comment removed
meade9166 4 months ago
I constructed this box as shown except, I used a 1 Amp fuse instead of a 2 Amp fuse. As I slowly turn it up the dimmer, the light glows than turns off. Yup, I've blown the fuse. I'll try the 2 Amp fuse. Is 2 Amps enough adequete?
jpurcha 9 months ago
@jpurcha A 2amp fuse is all that I have every used. I figured it would be the best choice since the transformer is rated at only 2amps. The goal is to blow a fuse before frying the transformer. ;)
CrashHancock 9 months ago
@CrashHancock
I similar device with it's own ampere control used a 1 amp fuse after the power supply. I did get an 2 amp fuse and the unit will stay on at full power without blowing the fuse (no load though). Just have to run some wire to my home made bow and test it out again.
Jim
jpurcha 9 months ago
@jpurcha Yes, 2 Amps is adequate to cut foam well. However, in order for 2 Amps to create the heat necessary to cut the foam, you must use smaller diameter wire, which has higher resistance. I have found that 30 Gauge stainless steel jewelry wire works best for this cutter, and anything larger than 28 Gauge, (ex; 28 Gauge, 26 Gauge, etc), requires more current than the transformer can handle, and will burn up the transformers.
panther3002 7 months ago
Hi Crash. I see you connected the two yellow wires from the transformer to the connectors. Is one yellow positive and the other yellow negative or are both yellow wires either live/negative?. Thanks for the video tutorial it's helped me alot.
CombatSpread 1 year ago
@CombatSpread If memory serves, both yellow wires are hot. Combining them together yields the 25 volts of electricity. I am certainly no electrician so I cannot explain HOW it works - I just know that it does. LOL
CrashHancock 1 year ago
@CrashHancock Thanks Crash. I asked an electrician in the end and he advised me to use a 24v 3.5A low voltage lightning transformer with a dimmer. He said there's no need to use a fuse with a lightning transformer. It works really well. The dimmer switch that you can press on or off is a good time saving tip.
CombatSpread 1 year ago
@CombatSpread Hey where did you get the 24V 3.5A low voltage lighting transformer? and how much was it? I wouldn't mind having a higher power transformer at all.
panther3002 7 months ago
@panther3002 I got it from a local hardware depot called B&Q I think it was only £8. It works a treat. Can you a long or short wire with it.
CombatSpread 7 months ago
I noticed you placed a 2 amp fuse on the input side of the transformer. My estimation is that it should be fused at 400 ma on the input or 2 amp on the output. Might be why people are blowing transformers.
13Amped 1 year ago
@13Amped Very good estimate. I wish I would have read your comment and bought a multimeter to test my setup before burning up 2 transformers, a switch, and 10 fuses. Just a minor correction though. According to the back of the new transformer packaging, in the bottom right corner, in tiny font, and oddly enough, only in Spanish, it indicates that the input current is actually 0.760 A max and the output current 2 A max.
panther3002 7 months ago
Nice video thanks for making this!
Q: Could you use a push to reset circuit break instead of fuse ?
r3kr 1 year ago
@r3kr I Don't see why a breaker cannot be used. I just never really thought about it. LOL Let me know how that works out, as I may incorporate one into my personal unit!
Thanks for the kind words!
CrashHancock 1 year ago
Great video. I've had purchased the components for a hot wire cutter supply, but had parts sitting around for three years but never completed the assembly.
Jim
jpurcha 1 year ago
Guess I should wire in that fuse lol, would prevent the transformer from seeing the full 120v??
AscensionFL07 1 year ago
@AscensionFL07 When the dimmer is dialed to full, the power supply will receive the full voltage. Please feel free to email me your phone number and a good time to call you is you continue to have problems and I'll give you a call to sort things out, bud.
CrashHancock 1 year ago
I have blown two transformers doing this set up.... They are lasting about 10 min max... Any ideas??
AscensionFL07 1 year ago
@AscensionFL07 What wire are you using? I use Rene Wire, but have used Stainless Steel Fishing Leader wire, NiChrome, and even guitar string with this setup. I would wager a bet that you are not using a wire that's really best suited to cutting (like Rene or Nichrome).
1st rule - If you are blowing transformers and NOT fuses, step down to a fuse with a smaller value. While those transformers certainly aren't expensive, I would rather blow a 25 cent fuse than a $13 transformer.
CrashHancock 1 year ago
@CrashHancock
I didn't wire in a fuse.... The first one I blew I figured I did so cause I turned the dimmer up way too high but I had to to get the wire that I was using hot. I used steel wire while I was waiting for the nichrome wire that I ordered to arrive in the mail. The second transformer i blew is I think I had the dimmer switched wired backward so when I thought the dimmer was turned down all the way it was in fact all the way up... I was using nichrome the second time around..
AscensionFL07 1 year ago
@AscensionFL07 Hey I have the solution. I loved this video and Crash did a great job, minus one big mistake he made. The transformer is rated at 2A OUTPUT current, but only 0.760A input current. He placed the fuse on the INPUT side, so you must use either a .75A slow blow fuse or a 1A fast blow fuse in his setup, NOT a 2A fuse. 2A on the input side corresponds to nearly 11-13A on the output side. I also blew 2 transformers. I suggest adding another fuse holder & 2A fuse on the OUTPUT side.
panther3002 7 months ago
Ascension FL07, see my last comment. ALSO, I have determined that on a 16" length of wire (which is what I'm using), the LARGEST diameter wire you can safely use is 28 Gauge (stainless steel - 304 grade - jewelry wire). 28 Gauge wire pulls 3.5A max on the output side at full power, but cuts best at 2.0A on the output side of the transformer. That is maximum current pull right there. 30 Gauge works much better, however, allowing 2A max and cutting best at 1.0 - 1.25A, again, on the output side.
panther3002 7 months ago
Nice video!! I am going to try and make one of these tomorrow :).
AscensionFL07 1 year ago
Great DIY info on how to make a Hot Wire Power supply, Keep up the great work, take care and have fun, Chellie
CHELLIE2408 1 year ago
Excellent videos Crash! Just what I wanted to know as I prepare to build my first hot-wire bow! Thanks!
wandcduncan 1 year ago
Way to go Crash! This is awesome!
Thank you
Mark and Trish
kram242 1 year ago
@kram242 Thanks for the kind words! This will be a great unit for heating up the wire on bows, 'scroll-saw' type fixtures, and that new PhlatPrinter MK3 due out soon!
CrashHancock 1 year ago
Tweeted as many will be interested.
LIPOPILOT 1 year ago
@LIPOPILOT Thanks, James! I love helping people out however I can!
CrashHancock 1 year ago
Great Information my friend.
tallguysd 1 year ago
@tallguysd Thank you so much! I've got many more cool things like this up my sleeve - just need a little more time in the day to get them shot! LOL
CrashHancock 1 year ago
@CrashHancock Again Crash, thank you very much for the video. I am happy to have a nice hot wire foam cutter now, & I don't mean any offense by my many comments to make a few corrections. I certainly could not have even began to do this without you, but once I got started, & burning things up, I kept pushing for over a month till I had figured it all out & measure the currents with a multimeter, tried dozens of different fuses, & bought a dozen different types and sizes of wire. Again, thanks!
panther3002 7 months ago