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Re: Neons



Tesla List wrote:
> 
> > > Subject: Neons
> > Subject: Re: Neons
> > > Subject: Neons
> 
> >From major-at-vicksburg-dot-comSun Aug 18 21:46:47 1996
> Date: Sun, 18 Aug 1996 09:52:49 -0500
> From: RODERICK MAXWELL <major-at-vicksburg-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Neons
> 
> Tesla List wrote:
> >
> > > Subject: Neons
> >
> > >From hullr-at-whitlock-dot-comFri Aug 16 13:40:34 1996
> > Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 10:20:34 -0700
> > From: Richard Hull <hullr-at-whitlock-dot-com>
> > To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> > Subject: Re: Neons
> >
> > Tesla List wrote:
> > >
> > > >From kcravens-at-sound-dot-netThu Aug 15 21:12:55 1996
> > > Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 17:38:41 -0500 (CDT)
> > > From: Ken Cravens <kcravens-at-sound-dot-net>
> > > To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> > > Subject: Neons
> > >
> > > Hey Fellow coilers,
> > > Here's an easy one...I'm parallel'n some neon xformers that are all the same
> > > model (Jeffersons) and though they are physically identical, some are out of
> > > phase with the others and I have to cross-wire the odd ones. In other words,
> > > instead of terminal A to A to A and B to B to B,  its ABA and BAB (wish I
> > > knew ascii art) So... on the "one" tranny that is different, do i also cross
> > > over the secondaries? Or do they only have to be "in phase" on the primary
> > > side? I never learned the electrical "basics", so any and all info on
> > > transformers hows and whys will be avidly devoured. :o) Thanks in advance!
> > >
> > >                            Ken "electronics 101" Cravens
> > >
> > > [ You should have all the high voltage ends in phase, so that there
> > >   is a straight wire along both sides.  This avoids crossing over
> > >   transformers and looks tidier.  All you have to do is cross the inputs.
> > >   -- Chip ]
> >
> > ALL,
> >
> > Again, Chip remembers an earlier post of mine.  Align all high voltage
> > leads and knobs so they are "purdy" and straight!  Cross over and rat's
> > nest accordingly, to bring all in phase, all low voltage primary leads.
> > Do this transformer by transformer (see my earlier post) never with an
> > entire line!
> >
> > It appears that every day is a new day in the Neon sign Xfrmer business
> > and the primary/secondary phasing is never done the same way twice in the
> > same model.
> >
> > Finally, it is always only necessary to change only one side of any
> > trnasformer to bring it in phase.  Always fart around with the low
> > voltage side only!!
> 
>     How do you test the transformers to ensure that they are in phase?
> 
> [ Just replying here for convenience.
>   You need to make a guess at the phasing of the low voltage inputs first, and
>   just connect them as you guess.
>   Next, connect the HV leads from one side of each transformer.  Then take
>   a piece of high voltage wire, hold it with a stick and masking tape, or
>   some other suitable method of insulating yourself and touch the wire to the
>   other unconnected HV lead.  If you see just a tiny crackly spark, your
>   transformers are in correct phase.  If you see a big bushy humming spark
>   that looks like fire, you are out of phase.
>   If in phase, you're done.
>   If out of phase, shut off the power and reverse the low voltage leads to
>   one transformer.
>   -- Chip ]

Chip,

OOOPS!  I think you got it backwards!  The small bushy arc means you are 
out of phase.  The nice helthy arc means you are right on, and in phase! 

Richard Hull, TCBOR

[ Well, actually, my literary skills are to blame.  Here's what I meant:

  A      B
  3      3
  3      3
  3      3
  A'     B'

A and A' are the HV leads from xformer 1, B and B' are from xformer 2
(the 3's are the coils)  When A is connected to B and A' is connected to B' 
you'll get a big spark between A and A' (or B and B') as Richard Hull says.  
What I meant was that if you have A connected to B, and you touch A' to B' 
and there is no external connection between A and A', then you'll get a big 
bushy discharge between A' and B' when out of phase.

If I'm still wrong, please correct me.  I'll shut up, I swear :-) -- Chip]