Restoring and Upgrading a Variac Transformer!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2022
  • I picked up this Soviet-made autotransformer for about $20 at the local market. I love the size and design, but she needs some repair, and a few upgrades. Let's restore this variac!
    Support us on Patreon with a $2 contribution!
    / workshopnation
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    Thanks for watching!
    #workshopnation #variac #transformer
  • วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี

ความคิดเห็น • 37

  • @ChernobylFamily
    @ChernobylFamily ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Still watching, but what we are sure about is that PhotonicInduction would love this :))

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Compared to PhotonicInduction, we are just children wandering around the playground. He is legend. :)

  • @AJRestoration
    @AJRestoration 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I just got a similar one that need some love, all the connections were severed and I had no idea how it should be wired. I am sure this is going to help me out a lot. thank you.

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching, AJ!

  • @campbellmorrison8540
    @campbellmorrison8540 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    That's a very neat market you have in your city, wish we had something like that

  • @LucasHaley
    @LucasHaley ปีที่แล้ว +8

    "It's working! This thing is working!!"

  • @ayushb3289
    @ayushb3289 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    First thing i loved your way of work and telling the information of each component man that was cool and one that background is awesome

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you, Ayush!

  • @MusicalHifi54
    @MusicalHifi54 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That’s amazing. Awesome job bring that little guy back to life and many more years if good use!

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks so much for watching!

  • @simmelj
    @simmelj 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Love your channel! I also want to fix old stuff :D

  • @leonsantamaria9845
    @leonsantamaria9845 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    you are exelente teacher, l can't stop watching .... you one the a lot electrical engineer, make exelente job., You know.... Master Nikola Tesla looking to you and he have this........😀👍

  • @dmytroshevchenko4605
    @dmytroshevchenko4605 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow! Incredible transformer!

  • @Subgunman
    @Subgunman 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Nice restoration and modification. Had a variac back in the States of a similar size but it was rated 120VAC @ 10 amps. I might assume if this was plugged into a 120VAC mains it would hav3 to be derated to one amp.

  • @darkshadowsx5949
    @darkshadowsx5949 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    me: it looks like its been dropped or thrown..
    Tomas: its part of the charm.
    .....

  • @allmeyonax
    @allmeyonax ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video, and amazing modifications!!

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you! In a perfect world I would have somehow also added an analog voltmeter, but there just wasn't space. :)

  • @wipoute
    @wipoute 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I don't know what I would do with it yet, but now I want an old soviet variac too 😅

  • @ErikDaGreat
    @ErikDaGreat 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I have that exact thing

  • @BariumCobaltNitrog3n
    @BariumCobaltNitrog3n 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I have a couple of US made Variacs from the 60's and what viewers might not get a sense of is how heavy that thing is. I use mine mostly for cutting foam and testing found motors. ВАРИАК. Frankenstein's lab is about right.

  • @ckovalev
    @ckovalev ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Such a beautiful device!

  • @realkrzaku
    @realkrzaku 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Such a nice device. I wish you had shortly explained the principle of operation of it. An suggestion for future videos.

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      This is great feedback-thank you!

  • @stephenjohnson5380
    @stephenjohnson5380 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    excellent

  • @billhill839
    @billhill839 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'm happy for you.

  • @jimfontaine9045
    @jimfontaine9045 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like fun .

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for watching, Jim!

    • @jimfontaine9045
      @jimfontaine9045 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ThomasBurns I just blew a breaker yesterday with a new hookup. I'm wondering if the variac I have is really a 240 volt unit. I checked my wiring and didn't see anything. Do you know how to determine the input voltage ratings on an unknown transformer?

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jimfontaine9045 The easiest way would be to plug it in, with the dial at zero, and slowly turn it up. By metering the output you’ll be able to see if 50% on the dial is what it should be. I wouldn’t go above 50% before you know more. But the kind of plug and outlet on the Variac should be enough of a clue. Is it a US plug or an EU plug?

    • @jimfontaine9045
      @jimfontaine9045 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ThomasBurns it has no plug. If it doesn't blow a fuse with no load connected , I would think it would read half voltage at half dial. I had been using it successfully on 120 volts, so I don't think it's defective. I'm thinking it may be a 120 volt unit and the core is saturating at 240 volts causing it to draw a lot of current.
      I compared it to a very similar unit that definitely is 120 volt. Wire size, core size, number of turns all seem the same. I'm thinking it might just have the incorrect nameplate (on brush cover) attached. I'm going to power them from a red variac through a power resistors or big Incandescent lamp. I'll be able to compare the 120 and the ??240v?? one.
      I'll compare the weight on a scale as well.

  • @alyahewich3062
    @alyahewich3062 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    ВАРИАК. Звучит как название какого-то чудовищного устройства из фильма о Франкенштейне)) у нас это просто ЛАТР. Возможно для вас звучит не менее зловеще, но это всего лишь ЛАбораторный ТРансформатор...

    • @ThomasBurns
      @ThomasBurns  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ЛАТР ещё лучше звучит! Спасибо что посмотрели!

  • @Fummy007
    @Fummy007 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As this channel is blowing up, I have to ask why you and your family live in Georgia? I don't think you've explained why in the videos I've seen.