Are neon-sign transformers overunity ...

[armagdn03]

They are not overunity.....

The neon sign business is concerned with break down voltage of the gas in question, which relates to PEAK VOLTAGE not RMS VOLTAGE. This means that input is measured in RMS mains voltage and amperage whcih can be used for power calculations, while the output is only concerned with PEAK voltage, which CANNOT be used to make power calculations. This is most peoples misinterpretation of the neon sign business.

[DeepCut]

Thanks arma that clears it up

[wattsup]

They are not overunity.....

The neon sign business is concerned with break down voltage of the gas in question, which relates to PEAK VOLTAGE not RMS VOLTAGE. This means that input is measured in RMS mains voltage and amperage whcih can be used for power calculations, while the output is only concerned with PEAK voltage, which CANNOT be used to make power calculations. This is most peoples misinterpretation of the neon sign business.

Yes, we could say you shed the proper light on the question. lol

I once bought two of those big heavy white cased neon transformers just because I saw the ratings. Little did I know. lol

[NickZ]

    @All:
     Does that include Donald Smith.?
   The newest venture is with IST trying out the florescent light ballasts.  He just bought 10 of them, as he hooked up their inputs up to an AA battery, and got a surprising shock.  We'll see what becomes of that, as they are a lot cheaper than the Neon sign transformer. OU, or not.
I know that it has been tried before (with the ballasts) but not by using an AA as a source.  I do agree with him (IST) on keeping the input volts low as possible (AAA), while opting for and obtaining a decent output,  we might live to tell about it,  as those things are scary.
                                                                                           

[DeepCut]

Hi Nick.

Yes it was reading about Don Smith that got me googling for neon trans prices. Who is IST please ?


Thanks,

Gary.