High Voltage and a Microwave oven

[PhaseShift]

SORRY A LITTLE O.T. BUT...

Ok, I just took apart my old microwave oven for the high voltage power supply. I am now left with the control circuitry, HV transformer, and one 2,300vac capacitor. The capacitor says it has an internal resistor but do I still need to discharge it so I don't get zapped (so far so good)? Is the output voltage of the transformer usually around 2.3kv?

Thanks David

 

[Jocko Homo]

Would not be a bad idea

Those caps are usually 0.47 uF and higher, up to about 1 uF.

Yeah, somewhere up there...........

Pretty good charge at that voltage.

Not much to one, is there?

Jocko

 

[jackinnj]

a 500 pf doorknob capacitor from a TV will hold enough charge to knock you on your derriere.

there have been applications of microwave power transformers in
ham radio gear, I don't really know of anyone who is using one. you might want to check by posting at rec.radio.amateur.homebrew

i guess when I started taking apart tv's for ham radio transmitters in the 1960's enough shocks from things which I thought to be dead taught me a lot of respect for HV. you have to get started somewhere, however.

 

[mrfeedback]

Playing With Fire.....

PhaseShift, be very aware that a MWO transformer will supply 1000W at 2000V and as such is LETHAL.

Eric.

 

[Sparhawk]

microwave transformer fun

I remember playing around with a couple of these transformers... a friend and I once cut one apart, removed the secondary, replaced it with a few turns of #14 solid wire, and clamped it back together. We made a nice arc lamp with a couple pieces of pencil... Very bright, but it would pop the 15A breaker after a few seconds.

 

[remp]

Dont forget your welder's helmet with an arc or you get welders gritty eyes. Very painful. Need a fan for the fumes.

Many Microwave oven transformers the laminations are welded to reduce buzzing noise. Some of the latest models dont have a big transformer . They use electronic power supply.

 

[Duo]

Yes the voltage on one of those trannies is usually 2.3kv or thereabouts. The capacitor and diode combination doubles the voltage to 4kv and rectifies it into negative DC pulses that are sent to the cathode of the magnetron tube. The anode is part of the the magnetron shell and that is connected to ground.

 

[pinkmouse]

PhaseShift,

Why?

Be very careful, I have seen people killed by playing with electricity, it's not a good way to go ( if any way is)

 

[mrfeedback]

I said LETHAL because they can be.
Experienced service technicians do get killed by MWO's.
You have been warned !.

Eric.