Restoring and Upgrading a Variac Transformer!

I picked up this Soviet-made autotransformer for about $20 at the local market. I love the size and design, but she needs some repair, and a few upgrades. Let's restore this variac!
Support us on Patreon with a $2 contribution!
/ workshopnation
Featured tools:
Elenco Hook Up Wire Kit: amzn.to/3DSArYH
Wiha ratchet bit set: amzn.to/3IKZS1X
Deoxit contact cleaner: amzn.to/3IO2pIz
Wire strippers: amzn.to/3m31cn9
Solder: amzn.to/3GFXAiF
Amtech flux: amzn.to/3DSLbGo
Solder iron tip cleaner: amzn.to/31TjH6w
Production tools:
Sony A7Siii (main camera): amzn.to/3pWAeyM
Samsung S10 Plus (overhead camera): amzn.to/3ET8H7u
Sennheiser wireless lav mic: amzn.to/3IK0YuS
C-stand: amzn.to/3GKMfxM
Be sure to check out our retro computing Instagram channel: / circuitlords
Thanks for watching!
#workshopnation #variac #transformer

[@ChernobylFamily]

Still watching, but what we are sure about is that PhotonicInduction would love this :))

[@ThomasBurns]

Compared to PhotonicInduction, we are just children wandering around the playground. He is legend. :)

[@campbellmorrison8540]

That's a very neat market you have in your city, wish we had something like that

[@NicksStuff]

Here's what *I* would have done: A wooden base (on top of which the variac would be screwed) that would serve as I/O and control panel. You keep the original terminals of the variac but they are connected to the box that give you a Schuko socket, a british one and terminals for banana plugs. The box also has a cord and plug to connect to mains, a switch *and* a voltmeter *and* an ammeter. Maybe also a fuse or, better, a circuit breaker (aircraft-like, I'm sure you'd be able to find one from a Mig or something cool)

[@ayushb3289]

First thing i loved your way of work and telling the information of each component man that was cool and one that background is awesome

[@ThomasBurns]

Thank you, Ayush!

[@AJRestoration]

I just got a similar one that need some love, all the connections were severed and I had no idea how it should be wired. I am sure this is going to help me out a lot. thank you.

[@ThomasBurns]

Thanks for watching, AJ!

[@LucasHaley]

"It's working! This thing is working!!"

[@MusicalHifi54]

That’s amazing. Awesome job bring that little guy back to life and many more years if good use!

[@ThomasBurns]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@651vbplm5-fv9xc]

I'm very lucky found your super interesting channel, that is very very interesting and useful, I think I would watch all your videos, thanks for your perfect channel

[@ThomasBurns]

Thanks for watching, Leonardo! :)

[@Subgunman]

Nice restoration and modification. Had a variac back in the States of a similar size but it was rated 120VAC @ 10 amps. I might assume if this was plugged into a 120VAC mains it would hav3 to be derated to one amp.

[@leonsantamaria9845]

you are exelente teacher, l can't stop watching .... you one the a lot electrical engineer, make exelente job., You know.... Master Nikola Tesla looking to you and he have this........😀👍

[@simmelj]

Love your channel! I also want to fix old stuff :D

[@realkrzaku]

Such a nice device. I wish you had shortly explained the principle of operation of it. An suggestion for future videos.

[@ThomasBurns]

This is great feedback-thank you!

[@dmytroshevchenko4605]

Wow! Incredible transformer!

[@ThomasBurns]

Thank you, Dmytro!

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

I have a couple of US made Variacs from the 60's and what viewers might not get a sense of is how heavy that thing is. I use mine mostly for cutting foam and testing found motors. ВАРИАК. Frankenstein's lab is about right.

[@allmeyonax]

Great video, and amazing modifications!!

[@ThomasBurns]

Thank you! In a perfect world I would have somehow also added an analog voltmeter, but there just wasn't space. :)

[@montalbert]

I don't know what I would do with it yet, but now I want an old soviet variac too 😅

[@ckovalev]

Such a beautiful device!

[@ThomasBurns]

Thank you, Andrei!

[@darkshadowsx5949]

me: it looks like its been dropped or thrown.. Tomas: its part of the charm. .....

[@ThomasBurns]

Hahaha so true. :)

[@ErikDaGreat]

I have that exact thing

[@stephenjohnson5380]

excellent

[@ThomasBurns]

Thank you, Steve!

[@jimfontaine9045]

Looks like fun .

[@ThomasBurns]

Thanks for watching, Jim!

[@jimfontaine9045]

@@ThomasBurns I just blew a breaker yesterday with a new hookup. I'm wondering if the variac I have is really a 240 volt unit. I checked my wiring and didn't see anything. Do you know how to determine the input voltage ratings on an unknown transformer?

[@ThomasBurns]

@@jimfontaine9045 The easiest way would be to plug it in, with the dial at zero, and slowly turn it up. By metering the output you’ll be able to see if 50% on the dial is what it should be. I wouldn’t go above 50% before you know more. But the kind of plug and outlet on the Variac should be enough of a clue. Is it a US plug or an EU plug?

[@jimfontaine9045]

@@ThomasBurns it has no plug. If it doesn't blow a fuse with no load connected , I would think it would read half voltage at half dial. I had been using it successfully on 120 volts, so I don't think it's defective. I'm thinking it may be a 120 volt unit and the core is saturating at 240 volts causing it to draw a lot of current. I compared it to a very similar unit that definitely is 120 volt. Wire size, core size, number of turns all seem the same. I'm thinking it might just have the incorrect nameplate (on brush cover) attached. I'm going to power them from a red variac through a power resistors or big Incandescent lamp. I'll be able to compare the 120 and the ??240v?? one. I'll compare the weight on a scale as well.

[@alyahewich3062]

ВАРИАК. Звучит как название какого-то чудовищного устройства из фильма о Франкенштейне)) у нас это просто ЛАТР. Возможно для вас звучит не менее зловеще, но это всего лишь ЛАбораторный ТРансформатор...

[@ThomasBurns]

ЛАТР ещё лучше звучит! Спасибо что посмотрели!

[@Fummy007]

As this channel is blowing up, I have to ask why you and your family live in Georgia? I don't think you've explained why in the videos I've seen.

[@billhill839]

I'm happy for you.