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Variac build
I've mentioned that I'm working on an Ampeg bass amplifier and needed a variac to power it up. After reading good and bad about the cheap Chinese ones, I scored a nice USA made transformer off the bay. This turned into a project in itself to build the enclosure for it.
After a few days of dickin around in the garage (thankfully the weather isn't seriously cold yet) I built this.
I used some steel and wood I had, bought the electrical junk, and had a buddy powder coat the panels I made.
and 2 others.
Comments
I made a video of how to modify the panel meter to measure the output voltage of a variac. Normally it just hooks up to 120V and doesn't actually come on till about 40-50V, but with a few cuts and a jumper it can be powered by 120V and measure a separate AC voltage.
Nice! That's built so much better than the "affordable" ones on the web.
Wow, that's pretty sharp. Good job!
Nice! My variac just sits on my bench with everything live exposed to the touch. Your's looks like it has some pretty healthy windings, what VA (or rated output current)?
It's a General Radio W10
10amp, 13amp max, 1.56kVA
Very nice, that's plenty of power.
Yeah I'd say! Mine is only 5 amps. Cool project.
Nice looking unit if someone was looking.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134177953509?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XyfUdx3uRke&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=NtMdzbxQRTm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I have to say this was the first time using nutserts, holy crap is that an awesome invention!
Thanks for posting that video. I had been looking for a cheap, digital AC panel meter that will operate at low voltages. The analog meters on my beat up EICO variac are useless and it's a pain wiring up a handheld meter every time. I had all but given up finding anything I could use on Amazon.