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#1 2010-04-05 15:11:25
- hfs3
- New member
- Registered: 2010-04-05
- Posts: 2
Newby Question re toroid winding
OK, got the toroid kit & various sizes of magnet wire. I am attempting to design a power transformer toroid to power the isolated section of a logging voltmeter. I will be experimenting with cores and winding ratios to get the desired result. Since I've never tried this before I am wondering if anyone can tell me about pitfalls, problems, and preferred methods. Of course I will be hand winding, and one question is- how to keep things in place as you wind those many many turns around the very small bobbin. I guess the combo of thumb pressure & tape may help. Is there any type of dope or fingernail polish that won't eat off the coating, but will neatly hold things in place?
I apologize if this is off the topic of RF, but the members of this board are probably well versed in toroids and their construction. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Harry
(used to be KC4RVK- lapsed)
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#2 2010-04-05 19:13:07
- W4GNS
- Member
- From: Virginia
- Registered: 2008-08-15
- Posts: 128
Re: Newby Question re toroid winding
Most comments on the dope/finger nail polish are Don't do it, as if you make a mistake you will have a mess, and I think maybe the dope will affect the toroids also. No, you're not off topic
hfs3 wrote:
OK, got the toroid kit & various sizes of magnet wire. I am attempting to design a power transformer toroid to power the isolated section of a logging voltmeter. I will be experimenting with cores and winding ratios to get the desired result. Since I've never tried this before I am wondering if anyone can tell me about pitfalls, problems, and preferred methods. Of course I will be hand winding, and one question is- how to keep things in place as you wind those many many turns around the very small bobbin. I guess the combo of thumb pressure & tape may help. Is there any type of dope or fingernail polish that won't eat off the coating, but will neatly hold things in place?
I apologize if this is off the topic of RF, but the members of this board are probably well versed in toroids and their construction. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Harry
(used to be KC4RVK- lapsed)
Offline
#3 2010-04-05 19:41:51
- wa2mze
- Member
- Registered: 2009-08-22
- Posts: 118
Re: Newby Question re toroid winding
If you HAVE to seal the windings with something, use WAX. Beeswax is the best, or just drip a candle on it.
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#4 2010-04-05 23:30:13
- W4GNS
- Member
- From: Virginia
- Registered: 2008-08-15
- Posts: 128
Re: Newby Question re toroid winding
Harry, I'm sure you saw this page, but I'll throw it at you anyway, also Diz has a turns calculator that you can download thats very handy, it also is on this page http://kitsandparts.com/howtowindtoroidswithoutpain.php
hfs3 wrote:
OK, got the toroid kit & various sizes of magnet wire. I am attempting to design a power transformer toroid to power the isolated section of a logging voltmeter. I will be experimenting with cores and winding ratios to get the desired result. Since I've never tried this before I am wondering if anyone can tell me about pitfalls, problems, and preferred methods. Of course I will be hand winding, and one question is- how to keep things in place as you wind those many many turns around the very small bobbin. I guess the combo of thumb pressure & tape may help. Is there any type of dope or fingernail polish that won't eat off the coating, but will neatly hold things in place?
I apologize if this is off the topic of RF, but the members of this board are probably well versed in toroids and their construction. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Harry
(used to be KC4RVK- lapsed)
Offline
#5 2010-04-06 09:02:50
- hfs3
- New member
- Registered: 2010-04-05
- Posts: 2
Re: Newby Question re toroid winding
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I hadn't seen the reference page, it's exactly what I was looking for. I had already taken a blind shot and I found it's not as bad as I anticipated. I guess there are only a few ways to wind wire on a toroid. Actually I find it's oddly soothing, I suppose kind of like knitting, and of course it gets easier as you go, as the unwound part of the wire gets shorter. Also, I found that the stiffness of the wire (AWG 34 in my case) pretty much keeps it in place, so I'll forego any coating, except maybe some tape over the whole thing when it's done. OK, back to winding, 100 turns so far on the primary, about 200 more to go for the rest of the primary & the secondary. Again, thanks for the good advice and 73's to all.
Harry
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