I think I need to get a Variac

[mp]

I thought it was just a summer thing with the demand for electricity causing volage hits on my roaster but being close to the official start of winter now I am still not getting the nice dark roasts that this roaster was giving me. I roast with a Swissmar Alpenröst.

I read a few Variac threads in which people have bought a Variac and seemed to overcome their roasting problems.

I am thinking now that I may as well do this also. I want to team this up with a Kill-a-Watt in order to monitor wattage with the roaster is doing its thing. I have been sending RareBare some pm's as I know he has bought one and he is steering me to this:

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/variac-tdgc-3kva.html

This looks as good as any but I hoping to find one that accepts regular electrical input as opposed to banana plugs. I was thinking of attaching a Kill-a-Watt to the outlet on the Variac and learning what the current situation looks like during the roasting process. I know that if/when I upgrade roasters this investment will still be handy.

I was reading on another thread that the big 3 are Staco, General Radio, and Superior Electric. Price is always important but so is quality as I don't want to be doing this purchase again within a short period of time.

Any thoughts?

 

[milowebailey]

Beware of China made variacs.... they won't last

[mp]

Beware of China made variacs.... they won't last

Good advise!

Which ones to avoid, or better yet which one(s) should I be considering?

 

[milowebailey]

Beware of China made variacs.... they won't last

Good advise!

Which ones to avoid, or better yet which one(s) should I be considering?

 

You named the ones I'd recommend... Staco, General Radio, and Superior Electric..... make sure to get one that will easily handle the current load you are using... 15amp if you can find one.

[mp]

Beware of China made variacs.... they won't last

Good advise!

Which ones to avoid, or better yet which one(s) should I be considering?

 

You named the ones I'd recommend... Staco, General Radio, and Superior Electric..... make sure to get one that will easily handle the current load you are using... 15amp if you can find one.

RareBear said that the Staco's are very overated with regard to their specs. That is why he recommended the one in the link. The price is good however I just don't like the banana plugs on it. I sent an email to see if they have one with the regular electrical outlets on it.

I've seen a couple of reconditioned Superior Electric for $225 plus shipping but know nothing about the accuracy of their technical specs.

Any model suggestions or links to ebay or merchants for the big 3?

 

[ecc]

Do you already have the kill-a-watt meter?  Before you go variac, you should make sure what the issue is, and that you can't fix it with a different approach.  A variac should be one of your last options, even good ones have some possible safety issues.

[mp]

Do you already have the kill-a-watt meter?  Before you go variac, you should make sure what the issue is, and that you can't fix it with a different approach.  A variac should be one of your last options, even good ones have some possible safety issues.

No, I have not purchased one as of yet.

I see where you are going with that. So maybe just purchase the Kill-a-Watt for now and dig deeper before the Variac solution then.

 

[Tex]

Beware of China made variacs.... they won't last

Good advise!

Which ones to avoid, or better yet which one(s) should I be considering?

 

You named the ones I'd recommend... Staco, General Radio, and Superior Electric..... make sure to get one that will easily handle the current load you are using... 15amp if you can find one.

I'm convinced some of the Chinese 15 amp models are really relabeled 10 ampers. I just don't trust cheap Chinese electrics - not that they can't make good stuff, but the cheap stuff is usually inferior.

I suggest the brands milo mentioned, but only buy used ones that've been checked out and rebuilt by knowledgeable pros.

[smico]

MP,
Look in your neighbourhood at Kijiji.

In Brampton: 30A asked $145, I paid $90 for this tank TECHNIPOWER VARIAC MODEL W30
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-VARIAC-W0QQAdIdZ424471702


In Markham: 10A beaten up asking $60, you could get it probably for $30-40:
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-5-amp-and-10-amp-variac-W0QQAdIdZ436653940

[mp]

Thank you for the heads up smico ... will take a look.

 

[GC7]

I have used the Staco's and GR's in the laboratory extensively in the past and they are solid workhorses. One that I used with my old popper to roast I unfortunately got rid of. I did blow up one lower rated model when I pressed it to close or beyond its limits and the fuse didn't do its job.

My point is basically that the Chinese made variacs should be fine if you go no where near its capacity. The 30A product should last if you never require more than 15A or so. Just my guess.

[mp]

Yes ... there are many factors to consider.

CareBear was clever enough to figure out that a 20amp Chinese Variac is only rated for 100 volts and that you would need about 25amp version to get the 120 volts that someone expects here with an American model.

He says he has had the Chinese 30amp model since the spring with no hiccups whatsoever.

I've snagged a Kill-a-watt from eBay and when I get it I will monitor the current situation at home first.

Then I will go from there.

 
 

[smico]

I just bought variac, but on second thought, we actually need voltage stabilizer, or sometimes known as constant voltage transformer.
I remember back in 70ies back in Yugoslavia every tv had it.
No moving parts and electronics.
I might sell my variac if I find stabilizer.

[mp]

I just bought variac, but on second thought, we actually need voltage stabilizer, or sometimes known as constant voltage transformer.
I remember back in 70ies back in Yugoslavia every tv had it.
No moving parts and electronics.
I might sell my variac if I find stabilizer.

So is the theory behind that is that if you put on your line and the Kill-a-watt says that you are getting 15 volts, you will keep the 15 volts?

Or does it mean that if your line is supposed to be delivering 20 volts and it is only delivering 15 then it will step it up to 20?

 

[rarebear]

If you have a simple volt meter just plug it into the same outlet socket where you plugged your roaster into..

Always check voltage while roasting as well as not..

I would still keep the killowatt as its easier to use..

What I read on a few Chinese sites selling variacs is the amps are rated at 100v not at 120v so they fall some 5 amps short of what USA models rate besides lower quality materials as well..
So a 20amp china is maybe something around a 15amp at 120v.. I have been using the 30a china without any issues this summer when my voltage dropped to 113v not roasting.. This is just $10-$20 more than the 15-20 amp models so better safe than sorry..