Search found 19 matches

by mikem
Sun Feb 24, 2002 8:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: are silicon bilateral switches be used as diacs?
Replies: 5
Views: 3475

Re: are silicon bilateral switches be used as diacs?

The heating element is a Kapton wire wound kiln heater. I cut a 220V one into two and want to run it on 110V. The element temp is a function of the length of the element( actually the resistance) and the voltage. Since the length is fixed I need to be able to control the voltage. When I melt aluminu...
by mikem
Sun Feb 24, 2002 10:53 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: triac problems..
Replies: 19
Views: 16287

Re: triac problems..

Hey Dac: You are trying to use Neon lights with a triac type dimmer pack? Two things to consider: Use a relay type controller like the American DJ SC8FC system which is a hard wired remote contoller with 8 relay channels and a 25 foot control cable.(about $135). Or as a homebrew fix, control the neo...
by mikem
Sat Feb 23, 2002 7:58 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: are silicon bilateral switches be used as diacs?
Replies: 5
Views: 3475

are silicon bilateral switches be used as diacs?

I had a circuit that worked with a 5 amp triac (using a diac for a trigger in the gate)and when I used a 40 amp triac, it doesn't dim smoothly. It snaps on at about 3/4 of the turn of the pot. I have some silicon bilateral switches and wonder if they are an equiv. substitute for a diac? Anybody have...
by mikem
Sat Feb 23, 2002 7:39 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: triac problems..
Replies: 19
Views: 16287

Re: triac problems..

Switching the primary of a transformer on and off is hard on equipment. The inrush current is very high the power is applied and the kickback is bad when the primary is de-energized. I would switch to 120V lights and forget the transformer lights. I sell these for a living and have had many bad expe...