Re-Wound Transformer For higher Current

This is a Simple Ballast "Hack" Using a 250Watt Metal Halide/ Mercury Vapor, HID Ballast, to Make a Transformer Suitable For a Chlorate Cell. A More Common 175 Watt Ballast can Also be Used. 175Watts/6volts = 29 Amps. Leave the Wire Long Until You are Completely Done. Center Taps Can Also Be Added on the Secondary for Multiple Voltages.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Chlorates
• Potassium Chlorate
• Ballast Hack
• Power Supply
• Electrolysis
• Transformer Winding
• Chemistry Experiment

[DJinfinium]

what is the difference between an transformer and an autoformer?

[ytmachx]

@DJinfinium An autoformer has primary and secondary connections on a single winding or a physical connection between two separate windings causing a relationship between the two.

[7ReyZor]

Lol, 1.2 amps idle is WAY too much for a transformer that small. You need to try the 277 tap.

[ytmachx]

@7ReyZor It works just fine.

[Gamerpaddy]

HAnds up for international youtube anthem!

[2low2rl]

@owocowy89 why? thats a great song.

[ytmachx]

@drainocleanser Yes, you certainly can burn out a primary winding. Check the gauge of the primary winding. A 12gauge primary should be good for 1000+ watts at 120v. Forget the isolation trans.

[drainocleanser]

@ytmachx

Thanks 4 the reply

Interesting

How do i find out how high my primaries can put out? some of my transformers have no markings? I don't have a inductive meter...yet. Is it possible to burn out primaries as well?

looking for ease on the machine if im building a welder. i was also thinking of buying isolation transformers for safety. Build a nice machine to run on 110v without getting too hot. I don't know what my breakers are rated at yet so iv got to take that into consideration.

[ytmachx]

@drainocleanser The shunts make the core more like a ballast. The shunts tent to current limit the secondary making it spongy. Neon sign transformers can tolerate a shorted secondary for extended periods of time. You must not wind the secondary to draw more current than the primary is rated for. If the trans is rated 900/1000/1200 watts, don't load the secondary more than that.

[drainocleanser]

Hey !! i have 7 big MOT transformers and one huge one from a neon sign that has 240 primary and 2 big bore secondaries already cut out.

All my transformers have their shunts, whats the use of removing shunts?

I want to make a 300 amp welder, i have lots of 8awg.