Cheap variac?

Post by Bluesbreaker
OK, I’m putting my flame suit on for this question — but I’ve just
gotta ask…
I was browsing a Harbor Freight catalog, and noticed a “router speed
control” device. Could something like this be used as a cheap variac?
Its only $25. It’ll handle up to 15 amps. Are there other cheap variac
options out there?

OK, I’m putting my flame suit on for this question — but I’ve justgotta ask…I was browsing a Harbor Freight catalog, and noticed a “router speedcontrol” device. Could something like this be used as a cheap variac?Its only $25. It’ll handle up to 15 amps. Are there other cheap variacoptions out there?

SCR stands for ‘silicon controlled rectifier’… it chops the AC waveform,
just like that light dimmer in the wall. You won’t like what it does to
your sound, or your amp… if you can get it to work without
popping it immediately.

Here’s a cheap variac option… put a light bulb in series with your
AC cord. The higher wattages take out less… the lower wattages
more. You have the added pleasure of watching it brighten up on
power chords. It won’t hold a voltage like a variac would… but
it *is* cheap.

Actually, I don’t recommend you play your amp through a variac,
or anything else that drops the voltage. Your amp is designed to
use a certain voltage at a certain current, and your tubes are
designed to have a long life at a certain filament voltage. If
you want ‘brown sound’, get a brown amp.
__
Steve
.

No… this one won’t work well. You’re looking at an SCR controller.SCR stands for ‘silicon controlled rectifier’… it chops the AC waveform,just like that light dimmer in the wall. You won’t like what it does toyour sound, or your amp… if you can get it to work withoutpopping it immediately.Here’s a cheap variac option… put a light bulb in series with yourAC cord. The higher wattages take out less… the lower wattagesmore. You have the added pleasure of watching it brighten up onpower chords. It won’t hold a voltage like a variac would… butit *is* cheap.Actually, I don’t recommend you play your amp through a variac,or anything else that drops the voltage. Your amp is designed touse a certain voltage at a certain current, and your tubes aredesigned to have a long life at a certain filament voltage. Ifyou want ‘brown sound’, get a brown amp.__Steve