Question for the EE types about a SOLA Constant Voltage Transformer

[Shadowfax]

Leftover from my days of Custom Machine Design and Building I have a SOLA Constant Voltage Transformer - Harmonic Neutralization Type 120v-240v unit with a Cat# 63-23-125-4

I had it wired for 120v and at one time used it between the wall and Panamax unit. Other than a little use that way, it is basically new and just been sitting inn my workshop for years. It's intended use was for a series of machines we built that had a PC included for the C+ Programming language used to control the machines.

My questions are whether it is a good use for Audio use or not really needed. It does put out a slight Humm and when I did use it shortly I covered it with an insulated box to hide the buzz. I suppose if you had a basement or crawlspace, you could wire it that way to eliminate the noise.

I see they sell from anywhere between $650 and $850 new.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[W9TR]

Every audio bench setup I used back when I was designing Broadcast Audio gear for Harris/Gates had a Sola constant voltage transformer feeding it. Having consistent clean power was a must or day to day and hour to hour line voltage variations and noise made life difficult.

How effective a Sola will be depends on your gear. If you have gear with well isolated R-core transformer power supplies and you won’t notice a lot of difference. Gear with big toroid transformers that couple everything into the gear and you will notice a difference.

It’s worth a try.

 

[atmasphere]

Leftover from my days of Custom Machine Design and Building I have a SOLA Constant Voltage Transformer - Harmonic Neutralization Type 120v-240v unit with a Cat# 63-23-125-4

I had it wired for 120v and at one time used it between the wall and Panamax unit. Other than a little use that way, it is basically new and just been sitting inn my workshop for years. It's intended use was for a series of machines we built that had a PC included for the C+ Programming language used to control the machines.

My questions are whether it is a good use for Audio use or not really needed. It does put out a slight Humm and when I did use it shortly I covered it with an insulated box to hide the buzz. I suppose if you had a basement or crawlspace, you could wire it that way to eliminate the noise.

I see they sell from anywhere between $650 and $850 new.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

The output isn't sinusoidal. Harmonics of the line frequency exist; the 5th in particular can be quite pesky, causing power transformers to run hotter (and noisier), rectifiers to become more noisy and so on. I've heard that some modern Sola transformers have overcome some of these problems. You won't hurt anything by trying it. I did exactly that about 20 years ago and my system got a lot noisier.

 

[Shadowfax]

The output isn't sinusoidal. Harmonics of the line frequency exist; the 5th in particular can be quite pesky, causing power transformers to run hotter (and noisier), rectifiers to become more noisy and so on. I've heard that some modern Sola transformers have overcome some of these problems. You won't hurt anything by trying it. I did exactly that about 20 years ago and my system got a lot noisier.

Since I already tried it close to 20 years ago myself, I don't think I will waste time with it. What else is it good for? I should probably just try to sell it but it will be a niche market and shipping would cost a whole lot.

 

[Speedskater]

We used a few in R&D and production. But they need to be loaded to a good percentage of their rating, they run hot and they hum.
In a residential environment, I don't see a problem that they need to reduce.

 

[atmasphere]

Since I already tried it close to 20 years ago myself, I don't think I will waste time with it. What else is it good for? I should probably just try to sell it but it will be a niche market and shipping would cost a whole lot.

One large enough to run a decent sized system might, if attached to a proper tether, be effective at holding a small boat in place...