Is it logical to assume that if I use a larger mot to ballast a smaller one, I'll have better current limiting?
Ignoring the weight/size factor, could I use 2 mots to limit one? If so, do I go series or parallel?
I didn't realize that dimmers are solid state devices. If I can dig up an older one, were those simple rheostats, hence eliminating the choppy waveforms?
These days I tend to ask more questions and/or research something as best as possible, rather than forge blindly ahead like some years ago when I first got my hands on a mot. I set up a spark gap, hooked up a fairly large cap, and connected it straight to line voltage. "WOW, look at the great sparks! Oops, why'd the lights go out? Is smoke supposed to come out of the transformer?" True story. Live and learn. I'm putting more emphasis on the live part now. Thanks again for your help and answers,
Neal.
A shorted MOT ballast draws a ton of current. I have a small one with a shorted secondary that draws 17A and runs hot as pistol. It is barely usable. Most other MOTs I've tried draw too much current for a 15-20A household circuit breaker. I once used a matched pair of kilowatt-class MOTs as a 240vac ballast for a pole pig. With both secondaries shorted, they drew 20A from my 40A garage outlet and powered up my 5kva pole transformer pretty efficiently.
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