[NSRCA-discussion] Foam cutter power supply

[John Gayer]

You can also use a cheap battery charger and plug it into the light 
dimmer output. That gives you an ammeter output meter(usually).
The battery charger is probably already in the garage. Modify the 
charger output for banana plugs. Each type of wire will have a correct 
current for each diameter regardless of length. You can still use the 
charger for its original purpose as well
John

Ron Van Putte wrote:
> Forty years ago I made a foam cutter power supply; it is still in use 
> today.  The primary parts are a 24 volt transformer, a 50 ohm variable 
> power resistor and the nichrome wire (I used 0.016" wire).  Attach one 
> lead from the transformer to one end of the nichrome wire; attach the 
> other lead from the transformer to one end of the variable power 
> resistor and attach the other end of the the variable power resistor 
> to the other end of the nichrome wire.  Adjust the setting of the 
> variable power resistor to achieve proper foam cutting.  You can also 
> add a switch in one of the leads from the transformer.  I put 
> everything in a small aluminum box.
>
> Ron
>
> On May 21, 2009, at 3:25 AM, Paul LaChance wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I was told about a way to make a power supply for a foam cutter using 
>> 2 dimmer switches.  I was also told to measure the final voltage to 
>> get an approximate starting point of 15 volts.  I am not getting a 
>> voltage change with the dimmers.  I have tested to see that there is 
>> a difference by using a drill to see that it is reducing the speed.  
>> Does anyone know how I can measure to get a starting point or is it 
>> going to be trial and error?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Paul
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