[Amps] Drying out HV transformers / Chokes

[Will Matney]

Don,

You can use an electric space heater too. One like the old "milk-barn" types works well. Just set the transformer up with its layers open to the heater about 6-8 inches away. You may have to turn it once exposing the other open side. I'd advise doing this though where nothing could be caught on fire for some odd reason as this takes a while. The heater itself should pose no problems if it has an active tip-over switch. Let it cook for a few days and it should be as dry as a bone. It needs to be pretty hot to the touch but not to where it would actually burn the fish paper. Baking temperature in ovens is around 300-350 degrees but remember that's for wet varnish. A through-temp of around 120-150 degrees should do it. The main thing is to dry out the paper layer insulation and any moisture that may be deep inside.

Best,

Will

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On 9/17/05 at 11:51 PM Don Lemley wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>	Ok, I know this has been covered here before, but is there a
>consensus on how to get the moisture out of HV plate transformers and
>chokes, so they won't arc on me.  And before everyone jumps in with the
>quick 
>"just put it in an oven on xxx degrees for yy hours", I am working with
>the
>iron from a Broadcast transmitter, specifically, the Gates BC-1G so
>these
>things are 100, 150 lbs each, and my XYL would REALLY not like it if I
>tried
>to put them in her fancy oven.  They have been sitting in an
>un-conditioned
>but dry hanger/garage for several years, so I am certain they have
>soaked up
>a good deal of moisture over that time.
>
>Thanks for any suggestions,
>
>	Don - W8HRQ
>
>
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