In article
,
BoyntonStu wrote:

On Nov 26, 5:51 pm, AZ Nomad wrote:
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:34:25 -0600, Art Todesco
wrote:
AZ Nomad wrote:
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:32:05 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article
,
BoyntonStu wrote:

On Nov 26, 11:09 am, Smitty Two wrote:
In article ,
Art Todesco wrote:

Anyway, what I would do is try in your
case is a 220 volt Variac and adjust the
voltage as needed.
A 120 volt variac goes up to 140 volts, which would give the OP 36%
more
power.
A 15 Amp variac would be nice but very expensive.

A stove controller costs about $5.00 on eBay and it fits a BBQ grill
enclosure.

220 V is already there.

True, if you don't already have the variac, buying it for that purpose
would be silly. This is one thread on which I'd like to see a follow
up;
let us know how it works out, and whether it lasts.

The infinite switches are time-pulse devices, so your voltmeter isn't
going to help with the adjustment. Eyeball, as you mentioned, is
probably your best friend on this one.

Small fixed adjustments can be made using a standard step down
transformer.
Wire the secondary in series with the primary and the load.
If you get it backwards, it'll subtract instead of add.
a 12V transformer will give you 132V out from 120V in.

-----120V in-------
| |
+-----primary------+
| |
| |---------
| |
| -secondary--
| |
-- load -------------
But remember, the secondary of the
transformer must be capable of the load
current. A 12 volt transformer capable
of 15 amps will get pretty large.

****. I wasn't thinking of a 1500-2000W application. There's no
way an inexpensive stepdown transformer will work.

That's very different. never mind. /emily latella

SUCCESS!!

Here's what I did.

I bought a 240 VAC Jenn-Air infinite controller for a range top burner
(eBay $5.00)

There are 4 contacts: 2-Line in and 2-heater out.

I installed the controller and a pair of 115 VAC socket connectors
pulled from old PC's onto a panel.

The HOT (black) from each connector goes to a LINE connector.

Plugged in a pair of extension cords from the opposite side of the
panel (measured 240 VAC black to black) and used the PC power cords to
connect.

It works just like a dimmer. At 50% she glows red hot and it control
cycles on/off to maintain the temp.

Cheap, easy way to control a 110 VAC heater element with 220 VAC.

It works better than expected!

Well, that's great! I'll let others address electrical safety concerns.
All I wonder is, how long will the element last, juiced up like that.
Let us know sometime down the road...