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--Previous Message-- thanks again!
: --Previous Message--
: 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=
: 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:
: http://www.advancetransformer.com/literature/default.asp#hidb
: 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 --
:
:
:
Thanks! i decided not to buy the transformer since it doesnt have much use to me. the only thing I could think of is use it as an isolation transformer, would this work?? or maybe a ballast for a pole pig or something, course I'm not playing with pigs yet...
=Rockinriley14=
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