John,
You are 100% correct.
It is an urban myth. Probably started by electricians so they could charge a balancing fee. And I fell for it without questioning.
I guess what PT Barnum said was true.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Originally Posted by Dale H:
Dale M
Nice to see you posting again,Missed your expertise here. . Could you explain that a bit more?
Dale H
Dale, the second unpowered transformer is acting as a step-up transformer if it's paralleled with a powered transformer. Since it's set at 10 volts and the other is at 20, the turns ratio of the unpowered transformer results in 240 volts on the primary side plug.
Just connect two transformers together and set them to full throttle. Plug one in, you can light a small 110V light bulb on the power plug of the one that is not plugged in.
Thanks John
All this is a bit scary. Never gave the throttle settings that much thought since I do not parallel transformers to begin with. I think if you ran them in parallel at different tap setting,say 10 and 20 volts you would probably burn the secondary winding of the low one,even 2 taps on the same transformer and it would not be breaker protected.. Another reason to watch roller jumping adjacent blocks feed by separate taps.Something to think about.
Dale H
FWIW - Going back to what is available and prices - - -
I initially wired my two TIU’S to my two Z4000’s with left over Romex 12/2 wire left over from the basement finishing project – close to 250-ft left over – plus another roll of 250-ft that I had to buy.
Recently, I added a ZW-L and decided to revamp the wiring. I needed to buy more wire, and instead of another 250-ft of Romex 12/2 for about $72, I bought a spool of 500-ft 12-AWG stranded wire at Home Depot for $68. This worked great – much easier to work with than the Romex, and the installation looks neater.
Alex
