Anodizer - Which Variac should I get

RUGUR

RUGUR

Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Messages
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Thank you for viewing my thread. I need some help please.
Please help me locate an ideal variac for building an anodizer. I don't know enough about electronics to make a selection. I'm finding Variacs for sale but they either don't meet my requirements or they have very high prices. I've been wanting to build an anodizer for a long time but I just can't figure out which Variac to get.

From the instruction I have read, it seems that I am looking for a 0-140V, 5AMP variac. I want to have the 140V range so that I can get all of the high voltage anodized-colors. I have heard that there is a bright green color you can get around 130V and I want my anodizer to be capable of getting that color. Also from what I understand a higher Amperage Variac will be more dangerous to use than a lower Ameperage unit, so I don't really want to go above the recommended 5AMPs if possible. Also the instructions make it sound as if I will be able to find a variac that matches the description for around $50 on eBay. But I can't find them. If I can get a low price like $50, great. If not, I'll spend more.
Thank you.
 
Thank you for the link Mr. Boone. I plan to use Bob Warner's instructions which are very similar. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the construction. I just need help finding the ideal Variac at a good price. The ones I am finding right now are around $200+
 
I have got a couple from Fleabay for $30-40. Let me know if you need a source for high amp bridge rectifiers.
 
Chris Meyer said:
I got mine on eBay. Take a look, there are lots of them listed there.
Click to expand...

Thanks for participating in the discussion.
What are the specifications on the Variac that you bought and how is it performing for you?

I have been looking on eBay but I don't think I am finiding the right Variacs. I found many 0-130V variacs but all of the 0-140V variacs are rated at 10AMPs or more. Should I just go ahead and buy a unit with higher amperage?

I have heard that some of the 0-130V variacs can not produce 130V even though it is marked on the dial. That why I have been holding out to find a 0-140V 5 AMP.
 
B Finnigan said:
I have got a couple from Fleabay for $30-40. Let me know if you need a source for high amp bridge rectifiers.
Click to expand...

Yes, please refer me to a place to buy a bridge rectifier. Thanks :)
It sounds like you have experience with this type of thing. Do you think I should hold out for a 140V 5AMP variac or can I get something else? I don't know any better.
 
I got mine from Circuit Specialists. Its a fine DC power unit even if it is made in China. All I know is that it does a great job from 0 volts to in excess of 110 volts. I've used it for years. I think I paid $99 when I bought it. I hear its a bit higher now, seems like $129 but its a good machine. They sell several DC power supplies and I imagine they are all good but the one I can speak for personally is the CSI12001X.

This is all you need to do a great job anodizing your titanium. You can buy this from other places but this price was hard to beat and they shipped it right out. I was using it the day it arrived and its seen nearly daily use since. I was first turned onto these in the lab of a school I sub teach at from time to time. Its a durable machine be beat up by highschoolers. That alone sold me. The ones at the school have dents, chips, missing dials, you name it but they still work. :thumbup:

www.circuitspecialists.com

STR
 
STR,
Thanks for the link. Those are the Variacs I am finding on eBay and they are very reasonably priced. I could certainly a good seletion of colors from 0-110V. It's just that the instructions say that there are reasonably priced units that will do 0-140V at 5AMPS. I want the capability to go over 130V if I can get it. I am finding 0-140V 5AMP units but they are very expensive.
I want to find the $50 0-140V 5AMP Variacs that I have heard about, if possible.
 
Wish I could help you there but I only know the one I have. You may ask Circuit Specialists what is in the catalog if any that are not on the web site. I have seen bigger units in it when I had it. I've never cranked mine up all the way to see what it goes to but I have had it to 110V twice so I know it goes that high and above it.

I rarely find much need for most of the anodizing I do to go above 70 volts personally. Most of the color requests I get fall in that range.

Good luck on your search. If you find something good post it for us. :thumbup:

STR
 
You are misunderstanding the amperage rating of the unit. It is the maximum amount of current the unit can handle before failing, not the amount delivered. A 10 amp unit is better than a 5 amp one. The current delivered depends on the resistive load and the voltage applied.

Also - 5 amps can kill you at 120-140 volts just as surely as 10 amps. have a proper size fuse in the anodizer circuit, and if you are really worried about getting shocked, use a GFI receptacle to plug the anodizer into.
Stacy
 
Even if you aren't worried about getting shocked, use a GFI.

They sell them at the Depot, Lowes, etc.. for like $10 that plug into a non GFI, so you get GFI wherever you need it.

Like Stacy said, the bigger, the better.
Buy the best you can afford.
Mine's a 5amp model, and it's a champ.
 
I've been anodizing for 15 years with my old DC arc welder as a power source. Not the best choice but gets the colors I want and works.
 
I have an isolation transformer in my anodizer before it gets to the variac as well as a fuse. It will immediately blow a fuse any time the anode directly touches the cathode. The people making these were pretty emphatic to include both of these for safety.

I have a separate circuit with some huge high power resistors in there to be able to slow down the process if I want to, but I find that I never use them. I also find that my colors top out a little above 100 volts, and the teal green starts getting muddy looking and starts to turn somewhat gray above that due to several colors interfering at the same time. I don't always use MultiEtch, but the higher voltage colors tend to be brighter when you use it. I have a small Crock Pot to heat up the acid. I use a digital voltmeter to gauge the voltage. I just anodize rings, so I use a stainless cup with the trisodium phosphate solution and hang a ring on a hook connected to an alligator clip. the setup works very well for me.
 
Thank you for informing me about amperage Stacy. That pretty much settles it for me. I need to buy a higher amperage variac.

I have been reading everyones posts and checking out all of the excellent links you guys are providing me with. I'll have more to say in this thread after I have a chance to think about all the new information. Thank you all very much for helping me out.
I sent a message to Circuit Specialists asking about their DC power supplies last night
 
The Multi Etch is made from ammonium persulfate and sodium fluoride. It comes in a powder in the bottom of a 1 gallon jug that you add water to. It works best when heated, so a crock pot or other heater is used to heat it up.
 
Bruce

From what i read on Reactive metal studios - they wont ship outside USA -

any leads on canadian - international - the origional wholesale supplier ???
 
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