Jim,
On 10/28 you said:
Now … How about a variable rheostat ACROSS the 120W AC line … to
adjust the current thereby reducing the heat???.. You thought and ideas
please. How much would a 120w rheostat cost???
You might try one of the popular dimmer switches that are used to make it
romantic
when you’ve got other ideas.
I’ve combined a duplex recepticle & dimmer in a double outlet box. Now I can
plug
anything into the outlet & dim it (lower the voltage). You can plug a small
soldering iron,
aprox 25-35 watts in & use it for working on waxes. You have to make your own
tips,
they can clip on the soldering tip.
With this device you’ve got a variable voltage AC power supply capable of
handling
any load up to the the rating of the dimmer (usually 600 watts). It’d handle a
glue gun.
Good luck
Dave
Construction info. (US & Canada)
These materials are stocked by most hardware stores, Sears & Montgomery Wards.
The total cost is about $20.00.
Materials required:
1 2 gang, metal, electrical outlet box (handy box).
1 1/2 or 3/4 inch Romex connector.
1 metal duplex outlet cover (to accomodate the duplex outlet & your type
of dimmer switch).
1 duplex outlet (get the grounded type).
1 dimmer switch (get one that will rated at 600 watts minimum).
1 6 to 8 foot heavy duty extension cord (get one with a ground wire).
1 supply of 14 ga insulated wire (about 2 feet, white, black & green), to
connect the outlet to the dimmer (as required).
1 supply of solderless connectors (wire nuts, as required).
1 electrical tape (as required).
Installation:
Be very careful doing electrical work. Insure all screws are tightened, no
wires are left exposed (ground wire possible exception) and all dimmer
wiring instructions are followed. Check your work TWICE before connecting
the finished device to an outlet. A wiring error could result in destruction of
the dimmer.
- Remove a 1/2 or 3/4 inch ‘knockout’ from one side of the outlet box.
- Remove the lock nut from the romex connector, save for reuse.
- Insert the threaded portion of the romex connector through the hole
created in step 1.
- Attach the lock nut removed in step 2 to the romex connector. Do
not tighten now.
- Position the romex connector so the screw slots are up. (Up = open
side of outlet box.)
- Maintain position of romex connector & tighten lock nut securely. The
lock nut can be tightened by placing a screwdriver against its edge &
striking downward on the screwdriver handle.
- Loosen the screws in the romex connector, do not remove them.
- Cut the cube (female portion) of the extension cord off & discard it.
- Seperate the wires in the extension cord so there is aprox. 10 inches
of each wire available. Insure that none of the conductors is exposed.
Depending on the type of cord obtained, the ground wire may be exposed.
- Insert the seperated ends of the cord through the romex connector from
the outside.
- Refer to the instructions that came with the dimmer switch. Connect it to
the duplex outlet and the seperated ends of the cord as directed.
- Install the duplex outlet & dimmer switch in the oulet box.
- Install the outlet box cover and dimmer switch nob as required.
- Tighten the screws in the romex connector.
Testing
- Ensure the dimmer switch is set to the OFF position.
- Connect the device to an outlet.
- Set the dimmer switch to the ON position.
- Vary the dimmer control through its full range, full off to full on and
back.
- Set the dimmer switch to OFF.
- Connect a lamp containing an incandescent bulb to the device. Verify
the bulb is good and the lamp is turned on before connecting it.
- Set the dimmer switch ON.
- Vary the dimmer control through its full range, full off to full on to full
off
while observing the lamp. The lamp should go from dim or off to full
brilliance to dim or full off.
- If the lamp functions as expected, set the dimmer switch OFF, disconnect
the lamp and return it to its proper location. Your voltage control works.
- If the lamp doesn’t function as expected correct the problem.
Great Idea!
Thanks,
Jim
At 10:35 PM 10/28/96 EST, you wrote:
Jim,
On 10/28 you said:
Now … How about a variable rheostat ACROSS the 120W AC line … to
adjust the current thereby reducing the heat???.. You thought and ideas
please. How much would a 120w rheostat cost???
You might try one of the popular dimmer switches that are used to make it
romantic
when you’ve got other ideas.
I’ve combined a duplex recepticle & dimmer in a double outlet box. Now I can
plug
anything into the outlet & dim it (lower the voltage). You can plug a small
soldering iron,
aprox 25-35 watts in & use it for working on waxes. You have to make your own
tips,
they can clip on the soldering tip.
With this device you’ve got a variable voltage AC power supply capable of
handling
any load up to the the rating of the dimmer (usually 600 watts). It’d handle a
glue gun.
Good luck
Dave
Construction info. (US & Canada)
These materials are stocked by most hardware stores, Sears & Montgomery Wards.
The total cost is about $20.00.
Materials required:
1 2 gang, metal, electrical outlet box (handy box).
1 1/2 or 3/4 inch Romex connector.
1 metal duplex outlet cover (to accomodate the duplex outlet & your type
of dimmer switch).
1 duplex outlet (get the grounded type).
1 dimmer switch (get one that will rated at 600 watts minimum).
1 6 to 8 foot heavy duty extension cord (get one with a ground wire).
1 supply of 14 ga insulated wire (about 2 feet, white, black & green), to
connect the outlet to the dimmer (as required).
1 supply of solderless connectors (wire nuts, as required).
1 electrical tape (as required).
Installation:
Be very careful doing electrical work. Insure all screws are tightened, no
wires are left exposed (ground wire possible exception) and all dimmer
wiring instructions are followed. Check your work TWICE before connecting
the finished device to an outlet. A wiring error could result in destruction of
the dimmer.
- Remove a 1/2 or 3/4 inch ‘knockout’ from one side of the outlet box.
- Remove the lock nut from the romex connector, save for reuse.
- Insert the threaded portion of the romex connector through the hole
created in step 1.
- Attach the lock nut removed in step 2 to the romex connector. Do
not tighten now.
- Position the romex connector so the screw slots are up. (Up = open
side of outlet box.)
- Maintain position of romex connector & tighten lock nut securely. The
lock nut can be tightened by placing a screwdriver against its edge &
striking downward on the screwdriver handle.
- Loosen the screws in the romex connector, do not remove them.
- Cut the cube (female portion) of the extension cord off & discard it.
- Seperate the wires in the extension cord so there is aprox. 10 inches
of each wire available. Insure that none of the conductors is exposed.
Depending on the type of cord obtained, the ground wire may be exposed.
- Insert the seperated ends of the cord through the romex connector from
the outside.
- Refer to the instructions that came with the dimmer switch. Connect it to
the duplex outlet and the seperated ends of the cord as directed.
- Install the duplex outlet & dimmer switch in the oulet box.
- Install the outlet box cover and dimmer switch nob as required.
- Tighten the screws in the romex connector.
Testing
- Ensure the dimmer switch is set to the OFF position.
- Connect the device to an outlet.
- Set the dimmer switch to the ON position.
- Vary the dimmer control through its full range, full off to full on and
back.
- Set the dimmer switch to OFF.
- Connect a lamp containing an incandescent bulb to the device. Verify
the bulb is good and the lamp is turned on before connecting it.
- Set the dimmer switch ON.
- Vary the dimmer control through its full range, full off to full on to
full
off
while observing the lamp. The lamp should go from dim or off to full
brilliance to dim or full off.
- If the lamp functions as expected, set the dimmer switch OFF, disconnect
the lamp and return it to its proper location. Your voltage control
works.
Hi again Sandra. Forgot the gun question after sending the wax wire
response. I bought the wax gun, appreciating anything Adolfo
Matiello does. It has lots of good qualities, but you would do well
to borrow one to try - or see if it fits your hands at one of those
demos. I discovered it was too large for the comfort of my size 6’s
and the stress on arthritic thumbs stretched to push the "trigger"
was too painful. I can very comfortably use the small hot-glue
guns. Now, if dear Adolfo would make a lady-size, I’d be delighted.
As is the student I sold my wax gun to - she has big, strong hands.
Best of wax days to you,
Pat