Potted Transformer Leaking

[Blackburn]

Got a huge one pulled from an early 60s Baldwin Orgasonic that's leaking a good bit. Is it worth repurposing in something else and is the stuff hazardous at all? I happened to get some on my hand while attempting to clean it and it's pretty difficult to wash off.

David

[ToneMerc]

I guess there could be a remote possibility that it could have PCBs in it.

TM

[boots]

I don't know what they use for potting transformers, but I have a few old electrolytics that smell like mothballs, and I've been told that's what PCB smells like.

[Blackburn]

I'm afraid I'm not following what you guys mean by PCB. Bad stuff?

Here's a shot of the behemoth. I cleaned a good bit of it off with a blade where it was clumping. It's been dripping a lot more than when I first pulled the thing over a year ago. It's been kept in a box for a while and when I pulled it out today while doing a full spring cleaning I found the mess.

[NickC]

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

carcinogens. nasty stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl

[Blackburn]

Thanks for the link, Nick. Nasty stuff. I think I want this thing outta here and Fleabay may just be where it's headed. These trannies are all over the bay. Maybe someone somewhere needs it. Until then, I'm wrapping it up and it's going in the garage. Don't want the pets or family near it.

[NickC]

Thanks for the link, Nick. Nasty stuff. I think I want this thing outta here and Fleabay may just be where it's headed. These trannies are all over the bay. Maybe someone somewhere needs it. Until then, I'm wrapping it up and it's going in the garage. Don't want the pets or family near it.

It may, or may not, contain PCBs. I don't know. Even if it does, if it's contained inside an amp cabinet, there may be little risk of cross-contamination. You'd want to handle it with rubber gloves during installation in that case.

[boots]

I used a big electrolytic cap in a ham radio amp once that had PCB oil in it, and as a precaution, I put a bead of nail polish around the seam to prevent any leaks. I never had a problem with it, and so far I'm reasonable healthy.

That transformer looks like it's already got a problem with leaking, so probably best to ditch it.

[Phil_S]

No, I don't want to mess with the goo. It isn't worth the hassle or the risk. Sometimes a find isn't a find. Let it go.

I'm thinking the most likely substance is the varnish it was potted with. Who really knows what was in that stuff to begin with, and why after it was baked is it oozing? No, out it goes.

[Blackburn]

Thanks for the info fellas. It would be very difficult for me to repurpose this one, due to the footprint and the cutout necessary in the chassis. It's also rated to handle the sun, which I don't ever get near with my builds.

[eniam rognab]

i found out about the PCBs while researching the Cornell Dubilier "greenie" capacitors.

apparently, the reason that they last so long are the dangerous levels of PCBs used in their production.

so when people ask me why vintage components are so desirable (or why modern parts are different) i tell them because of the carcinogens

[Blackburn]

i found out about the PCBs while researching the Cornell Dubilier "greenie" capacitors.

apparently, the reason that they last so long are the dangerous levels of PCBs used in their production.

so when people ask me why vintage components are so desirable (or why modern parts are different) i tell them because of the carcinogens

Everything's better with at least one hazardous chemical in it.

[NickC]

i found out about the PCBs while researching the Cornell Dubilier "greenie" capacitors.

apparently, the reason that they last so long are the dangerous levels of PCBs used in their production.

so when people ask me why vintage components are so desirable (or why modern parts are different) i tell them because of the carcinogens

Everything's better with at least one hazardous chemical in it.

Exactly! Ever since they took the trans fats out of Oreo's, they're just not as good.

[eniam rognab]

spread some o dat transformer goo on em, tastes just like chickencancer!

[Leo_Gnardo]

spread some o dat transformer goo on em, tastes just like chickencancer!

Having grown up in New Jersey I'm sure I had some - even if it came floating in the air - back then it was unavoidable. The Astron Capacitor Company was only a few miles away in East Newark. When there was a wind reversal - from the east - we got hit with the output of that and thousands of other toxic effluents. Mm good. Anybody remember "The Toxic Avenger?"

My Aunt Dorothy was walking to school one day, late 1940's, in Kearny, right next to Harrison & East Newark. Through a haze of chemical smoke she says came from a nearby DuPont plant, but who knows. She lost her voice @ age 16, burnt larynx. Speaks in a whisper, ever since then, now 81. Those were the days.