<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">simple and works.<div><a href="http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/tools/joedydruliafoamcutterps.htm">http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/tools/joedydruliafoamcutterps.htm</a></div><div><br></div><div>Steve Maxwell<br><br>--- On <b>Thu, 5/21/09, J N Hiller <i>&lt;jnhiller@earthlink.net></i></b> wrote:<br><blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"><br>From: J N Hiller &lt;jnhiller@earthlink.net><br>Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Foam cutter power supply<br>To: "General pattern discussion" &lt;nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org><br>Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 11:40 AM<br><br><div id="yiv2109284586">



 
 
 
 
 





 

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;">I remember
reading about using two dimmers. I believe the reason for using two is to get a
more sensitive adjustment near the voltage (15) we need. I have used a single
dimmer for mane years, which worked sort of. It wouldn't turn on below about 25
v but could be adjusted down to 15 without shutting off. The cure was to load
the dimmer with a light bulb <u>connected in series</u> with the wire and
dimmer. A 300 w bulb greatly reduced the sensitivity of the dimmer. The voltage
across the light bulb is around 75 loading the dimmer to about 3/4 full on for
very broad adjustment, 150 probably would have been enough.</span></font></span><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="
font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"></span></font></span></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;">There is a
shock (electrocution) hazard using household current. Although I haven't tested
it I have a GFI outlet in my shop that I use. The transformer based power supplies
isolate and separate the household (primary) from the secondary output voltage
eliminating possible contact with household current. If I didn't already have a
usable power source I would just buy one (plug &amp; play).</span></font></span><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="
font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"></span></font></span></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;">Jim Hiller
</span></font></span></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;"> </span></font></span></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;"> </span></font></span></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="EmailStyle15"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;"> </span></font></span></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Tahoma"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;">-----Original
Message-----<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b>
nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org]<b><span style="
font-weight:bold;">On Behalf Of </span></b>Paul LaChance<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sent:</span></b> Thursday, May 21, 2009 1:26
AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">To:</span></b> NSRCA Mailing List<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Subject:</span></b> [NSRCA-discussion] Foam
cutter power supply</span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;">Hi all,</span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"> </span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;">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?  </span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"> </span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;">Thanks
in advance,</span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="3" color="black" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"> </span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;">Paul</span></font><font color="black"><span style="color:black;"></span></font></p> 

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