Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Frozen salvage trip

Joe Vicars wrote:

> I am visiting a place this weekend with some really great electrical
> salvage: But they keep lots of their stuff outside (although most of
> it still in the enclosure boxes)
> Since we have had a wet and freezing week I was worried that some
> stuff might be damaged.
> How do transformers, relays, overloads, and other electrical devices
> stand up in the cold and wet? Could they be damaged?

Transformers might survive this, depending on construction.
They have a lot of paper in them, but the better ones are dipped
in varnish and then baked. If they are obviously varnished, they
might be fine.

Just about anything else will be ruined unless the encolsure is nearly
hermetic. It doesn't take long for night dew to solubilize whatever
corrosive stuff might be in the dust on the parts, and then weep it
all the way into the works. Corrosion city! Leave a $500 motor
starter/protector out on cool nights with no rain for 2 weeks and
it is scrap metal. If it rains, 24 hours is enough to ruin it.
I wouldn't haul any of this stuff off for free, it will be more trouble
than its worth!

Now, anything built for outdoor use will be in fairly good shape,
even if there are some holes (conduit ports) left open for a while.
But, eventually, moisture will get into the works due to the
thermal cycling outdoors.

I've repaired stuff like this, but it has to be a real great deal, like
hauling it out of the dumpster for free, to make it worthwhile.

Now, as I said in the beginning, transformers are often quite
tough, and motors, too, if not left out too long.

For anything in boxes, open it up, and look for corrosion.
It shouldn't be hard to find if it is there. Things like rusty
streaks or white deposits on the plastic parts are an easy
indication to spot.

Jon