- #1
njohnston
- 5
- 0
This one has me puzzled... using a variable power pack to heat an element - the powerpack is way overrated for the element (120A @ 12V secondary of transformer) so decided to build a smaller version.
To get the element to about the right heat (glowing red) i set the large PP to about 25A and measuring voltage at ends of element it is about 8.5-9V...
When i try the same with the smaller PP, setting it to 25A does not heat the element enough... even when smaller PP is turned up fully, giving roughly 31A @ 12V the element does not glow red or heat enough...
Thought it may have been the different Phase-angle controllers used in different PPs, but eliminated this by running smaller transformer off both Phase angle controllers... same result.
By no means an electrical expert but surely more wattage (P=IV) should generate more heat (i know this is not how you calculate heat energy but still...) or am i missing something blindingly obvious - feel free to embarrass me with a simple answer or explanation
To get the element to about the right heat (glowing red) i set the large PP to about 25A and measuring voltage at ends of element it is about 8.5-9V...
When i try the same with the smaller PP, setting it to 25A does not heat the element enough... even when smaller PP is turned up fully, giving roughly 31A @ 12V the element does not glow red or heat enough...
Thought it may have been the different Phase-angle controllers used in different PPs, but eliminated this by running smaller transformer off both Phase angle controllers... same result.
By no means an electrical expert but surely more wattage (P=IV) should generate more heat (i know this is not how you calculate heat energy but still...) or am i missing something blindingly obvious - feel free to embarrass me with a simple answer or explanation