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Hi, It sounds like you have found a ballast transformer that's used in conjunction with high pressure mercury vapor, sodium vapor, or metal halide lamps (sometimes called High Intensity Discharge or HID lamps). These are special current limited transformers that can provide the relatively high voltage (~2-3 kV that's initially needed to "start" the lamps when they are cold) and also provide a low to moderate voltage (several hundred volts at a higher current level) once the lamps have warmed up and vaporized the active metal inside the lamps. These transformers are sometimes packaged in a cylindrical style in order to slide inside hollow aluminum poles for street lighting applications. You can find out more about them by looking up HID ballasts at Advance's site: These transformers often use moderate voltage capacitors in conjuction with special windings to help reduce the amount of current they draw from the power mains (by improving their power factor). Unfortunately, these are relatively specialized transformers - they are not of much use for Tesla Coiling purposes without rewinding. Best regards, -- Bert --
: Hey all,
: I just came across a ballast transformer, and I don't know much about it.
: It is a large black can, is fairly heavy, probably 40 or more pounds. It
: is about a foot across and stands a couple of feet high, I am assuming it
: is full of oil. It is manufactured by Advance Transformer Company, and
: says that it is a ballast transformer for use with two lamps. I don't know
: what kind of lamps it is for. It is rated for 120/240 volts, but that is
: all I know. It has 6 or so wires coming out of the center of the can on
: top. I believe it has never been used, as it is still in the box. Please
: let me know if anybody has a clue as to what this thing is, and if its
: useful for me. I need to know fast though before somebody else finds it!
: I can get it really cheap probably since nobody has figured out what its
: for.
: thanks!
: =Rockinriley14=
http://www.advancetransformer.com/literature/default.asp#hidb
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