In a message dated 5/16/2009 4:53:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
vk3zl@bigpond.com writes:
What has happened to "roll your own" custom filament transformers? I
have never purchased a commercially made filament transformer after
building more than 40 amplifiers over 25 years....I still roll my
own...There are plenty of sources of suitable transformers including
older type video recorders small TV sets and a few other redundant
pieces of old electronic equipment
Good points Bob. I wonder if folks know also you can still buy all the
parts needed brand new
to build your own transformers with using a little searching around the
internet.
I have been working on a project to build my own filament transformer and
some audio matching
transformers and have found online there
are still some suppliers of laminations and bobbins that will sell small
orders to an individual.
I recently bought about 45 lbs of EI-175 laminations and 20 matching size
bobbins to play with. To a lamination supplier a 45 lb order is considered
small though! There are some good bargains in rolls of magnet wire to be
found on eBay from time
to time. Also some sellers offer hand winding machines on eBay or one can
build their own transformer winding jig from scratch. I found a supplier of
mylar sheet to use as insulation between layers. So if one takes the time
to look around you can still find all the parts needed to roll your own
transformers from scratch using brand new parts if wanted.
It would not be very economical if you just need one transformer but once
you have the parts gathered up and a transformer winding jig built the cost
goes down very rapidly from there If you are planning to build more than
just one transformer over the years, plus you can build them custom made
exactly to your needs. Like Bob mentioned it is also possible to take apart
other transformers for the laminations and rewind them for one-off projects.
It's a good learning experience also to re-learn the art of winding a
transformer.
73 Todd WD4NGG
**************Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in
the U.S.
(http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlcntustrav00000002)
_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
|