[Boatanchors] Bucking Autotransformer - use as combination bucking and isolation?

[Michael Hanz]

It's actually a throwback to the 110v Edison DC system.  When AC began 
to be distributed during the "War of the Currents" between AC and DC, 
the AC providers selected 110v AC RMS so that the same incandescent 
lights could be used.  220v was actually provided separated by 180 
degrees, as it is today with 120/240.  The standard voltages in the US 
stepped up over time from 110vac to 115vac, to 117v, and then to the 
120vac level they are today.  But my father's brothers all used to talk 
about "110" outlets in the 1950s when I was a kid, so that's what I 
called them for years.  Getting a degree in EE changed that, of course...

- Mike  KC4TOS

On 2/20/2024 9:17 PM, w5jo at brightok.net wrote:
> I am curious as to why you chose the 110 volt figure?
>
> Jim
> W5JO
>
> -----Original Message-----
> I’ve been wanting to build a buck transformer for my BA station for 20 
> years.  Maybe I’ll get to it this year…. Was planning to buy a new 
> Hammond 12.6 VAC 5 or 6 amps or so transformer and buck the line 
> voltage, should yield me around 110 volts.  Was thinking that I could 
> plug the boat anchor power strip into it and power the BA plugged into 
> the strip.  Are a lot of guys using buck transformers?
> 73 Scott WA9WFA