[AUDFILE74]

 Hey gang, i have a problem i need help solving. i bought an old (2-4 year old) sony surround receiver. i paid 16 bucks so it is not a heartbreaker. i took it apart to get the transformer. i found a transformer with 5 or 6 output taps . i was wondering how i can find out the output voltages SAFELY. i will get a multimeter soon but i  am not sure if i should plug it in and measure it. i do not want to get hurt by my own stupidity. any suggestions are welcome

[Haoleb]

This is kind of a scary question to answer because quite honestly if you dont know the answer(s) your already putting yourself in danger. But hey everyone has to start somewhere.

Granted 120vac from the wall outlet probbably wont give you more than a good buzz anyway if you do something stupid. The safest way to do this is to have an isolation transformer and know where the dangerous voltages are inside of the unit and how to protect yourself. Isolation transformers are expensive... Safest way is just get a multimeter and some clip on leads so you can turn the unit off and clip them to whatever you want to measure then turn the power back on when you dont have your hands in there and can do it remotely like with a long cord and a power strip switch incase you blow it up... it sounds like you already tore the unit apart and pulled the transformer.. If you cant clearly see which of the leads is the primary side you could potentially have some very high voltages if you put 120 on the wrong windings... I would suggest just finding a schematic for the unit and it will probbably tell you what color or what terminal has what voltages on it and you can go from there.

[HAL]

If you see a part number on the transformer, you might try googling it to see if you can find the voltage and current specifications.  Usually they are custom designed, but it might be off-the-shelf.  It might even be in the Sony parts system with info.

Just a thought.