What to do with bad transformers?

toolguy

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Besides door stops, what worth do they have?

Seriously, before I pitch them in the recycler, I thought I would ask if anyone wanted them.

I have the two from a Bosconian mini. Please don't ask if I have any other Bosc parts, I got these in a Galaga mini lot I purchased.

Part numbers:

MT00-00082-0000 and MT-87.

I'm getting crazy voltages, or low for the ratings.
 
Besides door stops, what worth do they have?

There's quite a bit of copper wire in them... Might at least make a few bucks at a metal recycling place...?
 
There is some but most of the weight is the iron core. Not to mention for the copper to be worth it you have to separate it which is a PITA.

There's quite a bit of copper wire in them... Might at least make a few bucks at a metal recycling place...?
 
I'm getting crazy voltages, or low for the ratings.

You sure you're measuring them right? It's real rare to have a transformer actually go bad.

You need to have your meter on AC volts, and there should really be a load (otherwise your readings will be high), and you need to be sure you're connecting to both the start and the end of the winding (many transformers have center tapped windings).

-Ian
 
Thats a good question. I have a bad Transformer for a Taito cabinet, it has multiple windings for different voltages and also serves as the ISO for the monitor. None of the voltages are reading properly because I think water may have damaged it like the bottom of the cabinet.


I mean load or no load, the ISO 120VAC winding was only reading 2.03VAC, and the 6VAC section for the marquee lamps was reading 8.01VAC.

If anyone would think its worth salvaging they can have it for free. Or if anyone knows of a better idea than just throwing it in a trash can just tell me.
 
You sure you're measuring them right? It's real rare to have a transformer actually go bad.

You need to have your meter on AC volts, and there should really be a load (otherwise your readings will be high), and you need to be sure you're connecting to both the start and the end of the winding (many transformers have center tapped windings).

-Ian

Well I'm not checking them under load, so your point taken there. I actually don't have anything to put them under load though. I just measured 115V from the lugs and it was low. Likewise 12V and 15V were reading all over, high and low.

Humm, maybe I'll hang onto them in case one in my Ms. Pac goes?
 
There is some but most of the weight is the iron core. Not to mention for the copper to be worth it you have to separate it which is a PITA.

Aw, crap. Forgot about the core...

Well.

You can always put it in a glass bowl and fill it with hydrochloric acid, and watch it dissolve. That's pretty cool to view if you're bored... :cool: And available anywhere pool cleaning supplies are sold - your local hardware store.
 
a bandsaw makes quick work of stripping a transformer. If Your crazy enough you can slowly unwinded one and with a Little varnish and a lot of effort you can rewind it back up. Trust me. You only need to do one to swear off doing that time consuming crazy stunt again.
 
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