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The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


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    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

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    Daveinthedesert


    Posts : 8
    Join date : 2011-02-15

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Empty Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

    Post by Daveinthedesert Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:33 pm

    Finally got a Variac. My household vac is 125. So the question is what is the suggested setting?
    110-115-117? I have a pair of Mk 3's, and a PAS2. Also, should I just plug in the Mk3's into the Variac, or run the Variac into the wall and then run the AC line from my Furman  into the Variac. Most of my other equipment besides the Mk3's and the PAS2 are from the early to mid 70's ( Thorens TD-150' Technics SP-10 MK1, Luxman T-110 Tuner and the most " modern" component a Cary CD-308 CD player). Any thoughts?
    10-E-C
    10-E-C


    Posts : 267
    Join date : 2014-02-12
    Age : 70
    Location : upper east tn

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Empty Re: Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

    Post by 10-E-C Tue Jan 02, 2018 9:58 pm

    Daveinthedesert wrote:Finally got a Variac. My household vac is 125. So the question is what is the suggested setting?
    110-115-117? I have a pair of Mk 3's, and a PAS2. Also, should I just plug in the Mk3's into the Variac, or run the Variac into the wall and then run the AC line from my Furman  into the Variac. Most of my other equipment besides the Mk3's and the PAS2 are from the early to mid 70's ( Thorens TD-150' Technics SP-10 MK1, Luxman T-110 Tuner and the most " modern" component a Cary CD-308 CD player). Any thoughts?

    I've been running my M125s, tube pre amp and tube phono amp at 118vac for 3 years now with no problems. I'd suggest getting a manual reset ground fault breaker to plug into your house receptacle then out to the variac, then to your equipment. The manual reset GFI will save you sooner or later from a power flicker. You can get them from Amazon, Ebay or any Home depot store. Around 20 bucks will save your tube stuff.

    TM
    bluemeanies
    bluemeanies


    Posts : 274
    Join date : 2015-02-09
    Age : 73
    Location : Folsom Pa.

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Empty Re: Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

    Post by bluemeanies Thu Jan 04, 2018 8:17 pm

    I have been running my Variac which is connected to a kill-o-watt...from there my m125's. Based on the reading from the Kill-o-watt I set it between 118-119.
    slate1
    slate1


    Posts : 58
    Join date : 2017-07-26

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Empty Re: Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

    Post by slate1 Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:50 pm

    Agree with everyone who has responded - set mine at 120 prior to powering everything up and it settles around 117/18 once everything is charged and running.  Also have mine plugged into a https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XVG72G/ref=twister_B00GAXYBCE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1]GFCI I got from Amazon - it's saved me a few times during power blips.

    Also, not sure what variac you got but if it's like mine and didn't have a digital meter, I added one for around $10 all in.

    Pic attached and you can see a parts list at post #63 https://dynacotubeaudio.forumotion.com/t3246p50-variac-s-on-sale-right-now-at-circuit-specialists-in-az.

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Img_2410
    bluemeanies
    bluemeanies


    Posts : 274
    Join date : 2015-02-09
    Age : 73
    Location : Folsom Pa.

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Empty Re: Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

    Post by bluemeanies Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:39 am

    slate1 wrote:Agree with everyone who has responded - set mine at 120 prior to powering everything up and it settles around 117/18 once everything is charged and running.  Also have mine plugged into a https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XVG72G/ref=twister_B00GAXYBCE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1]GFCI I got from Amazon - it's saved me a few times during power blips.

    Also, not sure what variac you got but if it's like mine and didn't have a digital meter, I added one for around $10 all in.

    Pic attached and you can see a parts list at post #63 https://dynacotubeaudio.forumotion.com/t3246p50-variac-s-on-sale-right-now-at-circuit-specialists-in-az.

    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Img_2410


    That is a nice Variac...especially having the volt indicator right there let's your eliminate the need for a kill o watt which is the position I am in with my STACO VARIAC.
    I am not complaining...just pointing out the differences. I pick my heavy duty INDUSTRIAL Staco on e-bay for $100.00.
    I have seen them new on-line for over a$1000.00.

    On topic I recently sold my FURMAN Elite PF i 15 line conditioner. I have my Outlaw 7700 plug directly into a wall outlet as per manual. My m125's are connected to the kill-o-watt to the Variac. Everything else is connected to manual line fault interruptors.

    Just wanted to share and make a compliment on your Variac.

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    Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions Empty Re: Santa brought a Variac. Setting suggestions

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