[R-390] Variacs and solas: last thoughts.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

The Variacs I have seen and used can ALL be wired so that the output 
is both higher (140VAC) and lower (110 VAC) than the input voltage 
(120 VAC), but all such "adjustments" are internal. The Variac has to be 
partially dismantled in order to do the changes.

I have several Variacs which have two-sided dial plates: one side reads 
from 0 - 100 PERCENT, and the other side reads 0 - 140 VOLTS, so 
you flip it over to the side you want.

I also have one large Variac that has such low impedance that when I 
turn it on,  the breaker feeding that socket blows. Sometimes it takes 
multiple attempts until I hit it at a valley in the sine wave. Then I leave it 
on. I haven't turned it off for about the past 5 years.

None of mine are fused in the output, but I think they will become so 
shortly.

Ken W7EKB