I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?

I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.

:I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
:

:I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
:
::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
::
:
:
Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.

This might give you some ideas

Good luck and HAVE FUN-

Nice workbench. I notice you don't have a clock on yours, and neither do I.

::I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
::
:::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
:::
::
::
:Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.
:
:
:
:This might give you some ideas
:
:Good luck and HAVE FUN-
:
:

:Nice workbench. I notice you don't have a clock on yours, and neither do I.
:
:::I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
:::
::::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
::::
:::
:::
::Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.
::
::
::
::This might give you some ideas
::
::Good luck and HAVE FUN-
::
::
:
You ONLY have a clock on a workbench when you are getting paid to work at it and don't want to miss your lunch and break periods.

Lewis

::Nice workbench. I notice you don't have a clock on yours, and neither do I.
::
::::I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
::::
:::::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
:::::
::::
::::
:::Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.
:::
:::
:::
:::This might give you some ideas
:::
:::Good luck and HAVE FUN-
:::
:::
::
:You ONLY have a clock on a workbench when you are getting paid to work at it and don't want to miss your lunch and break periods.
:
:Lewis
:I have a landline telephone on my work bench to order the parts I need. lol. Guess everyone else has oogles of spare parts !

And no computer or working radio either belong on the bench either. This is serious buisiness.

:::Nice workbench. I notice you don't have a clock on yours, and neither do I.
:::
:::::I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
:::::
::::::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
::::::
:::::
:::::
::::Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.
::::
::::
::::
::::This might give you some ideas
::::
::::Good luck and HAVE FUN-
::::
::::
:::
::You ONLY have a clock on a workbench when you are getting paid to work at it and don't want to miss your lunch and break periods.
::
::Lewis
::I have a landline telephone on my work bench to order the parts I need. lol. Guess everyone else has oogles of spare parts !
:
:

::I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
::
:::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
:::
::
::
:Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.
:
:
:
:This might give you some ideas
:
:Good luck and HAVE FUN-
:
:
Hi Terry,

Wow! Looks like you are well equipped!

One question, though, television?

Best Regards,

Bill Grimm

:::I'd say 250 watts if you are working on small to medium size radios would be plenty. If you are working on bigger sets 1000 watts may be in order. Put the isolation transformer before the variac of course, and use an AC voltmeter to check what's coming out of the setup. Don't trust the dial on the variac. Hope this helps.
:::
::::I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
::::
:::
:::
::Here's a photo of the bench I put together last summer. Everything was purchased on eBay for around $300. Of course I already had some things. The Eico variable transformer has a volt AND amp meter. The Isolation transformer was about $40. I like Heathkit because they are easy to work on, (remember they were designed for goobers to assemble), and almost all of the manuals are available.
::
::
::
::This might give you some ideas
::
::Good luck and HAVE FUN-
::
::
:Hi Terry,
:
:Wow! Looks like you are well equipped!
:
:One question, though, television?
:
:Best Regards,
:
:Bill Grimm
:
Here's what it says in my flyer-
"No TV, Computer or Appliance."
Terry

:I'm currently in the process of getting some workbench items. I've already got a variac, multimeter, and the soldering/desoldering station. My question is on the isolation transformer. What should be the minimum output wattage I should consider?
:
Ken: My recommendation is that you buy a medical isolation transformer since they are very high quality and readily available on ebay. I personally have a 20 amp medical isolation xformer that has powered my entire bench for the past 25 years. Your variac, test equipment, radios, etc. will all be above earth ground.

Ken, The only thing the isolation transformer should power is the radio you are working on. Powering the whole bench and test equipment through it defeats its purpose. You can run the variac through it to power the radio but that's it. I use a medical transformer. They are usually a good value.

::
:Ken: My recommendation is that you buy a medical isolation transformer since they are very high quality and readily available on ebay. I personally have a 20 amp medical isolation xformer that has powered my entire bench for the past 25 years. Your variac, test equipment, radios, etc. will all be above earth ground.
: