aDogNameDude

so to make sure that I am understanding this correctly I should be putting it a resistor on both ends of exposed copper wire? a resistor will allow me to keep both my coils and my power supply from overheating correct? as for the potentiometer does it matter which end of the copper coil I catch it? 4 my next test I plan on dropping my voltage to 12 volts. is there a specific amount of oil that you would recommend I use? is more always better? thank you so much for all of your help you guys rock!

please forgive my ignorence . never was great in the field of science. So if i have a 24v 1.2A, then I also need connected to that a resistor to limit the overall current to the coils? Are these two seperated divices? or can i find them together as one unit? To better explain my overall goal. I'd like to be able to have control of voltage or current to the coils, allowing me control over the strength (flux) of the magnification. Is this possible?

So I managed to make a metal rod into an electromagnet. I used speaker wire 18 gage. For power, I used a dc 24v 1.2A transformer. success it worked! After about 60 seconds the I could smell the transformer. I pulled out from the outlet and the transformer was smoking. What should I do to prevent this? what is the best way to supply power and not have over heating?