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Registered Member #162
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3141
I would guess that a transformer like this would be Line voltage (e.g. 110 Vac) to some kV and some low voltage for electronics power, say 12 Vdc? So you MAY be powering one of the two secondaries, ok but you need another transformer to power it, and the output power will be slightly reduced. So, using an ohm meter/dmm look for another winding that will be maybe 100x the resistance of the winding that you're using for the 12 Vac. If there is one, wire a mains lamp in series with the suspected primary with an ac voltmeter on the winding you're currently using as a primary apply power briefly. If all is well the lamp should glow but not full brightness, and some secondary voltage can be measured. Now you can run straight from the ac mains BUT That transformer mains-powered may be potentially lethal.
I would guess that a transformer like this would be Line voltage (e.g. 110 Vac) to some kV and some low voltage for electronics power, say 12 Vdc? So you MAY be powering one of the two secondaries, ok but you need another transformer to power it, and the output power will be slightly reduced. So, using an ohm meter/dmm look for another winding that will be maybe 100x the resistance of the winding that you're using for the 12 Vac. If there is one, wire a mains lamp in series with the suspected primary with an ac voltmeter on the winding you're currently using as a primary apply power briefly. If all is well the lamp should glow but not full brightness, and some secondary voltage can be measured. Now you can run straight from the ac mains BUT That transformer mains-powered may be potentially lethal.
There is a center-tapped primary and only one secondary that I could find.
Forum member quicksilver sent me the following message:
I have several of the same. I got them from electronic goldmine BEFORE they bid on them and have information they did NOT have! I can show you little tricks because I found the copy machine it went in and what it was driven with! It's initial design was for 24V @ 1.5amps the fat white lead is primary the light green on the primary side mean very little. The x-former should be grounded to handle more than 1.5 amps or you'll get problems internally. I actually got a 5cm arc & it didn't get warm! The 555 is not the best driver for it. It was designed for smoothed AC (not DC). A dimmer oscillator driver of AC at 24V will give a REALLY fat arc.
So it seems it was designed for 24V or so.
EDIT: And finally, some pics!
Here is my initial attempt driving the transformer with about 25 V at several kHz with my 555 driver:
Here is the 1cm purple/orange arc from 12VAC 60Hz in:
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Mystery HV Transformer and Frequency Troubles
