[TowerTalk] Rebuilding a TH-3, advice sought.

[Eddy Swynar]

Hi Tim,

Despite what the nay sayers might opine, I applied a good rubbing of  steel wool on my TH-3 before putting it up in 1992, with absolutely no fanfare...

What troubles me reading your post, though---and which was not alluded to by other respondants---was the fact that some of your elements there have "...bumps of white powder on them". That is a sure sign of trouble, indicating that the aluminum has effectively "rusted," if you will, in those areas. 

That is NOT good, and a sure sign of a weak link(s) in your set-up. 

How extensive is this "powder" / oxidation...? Has it left deep pits / holes in the aluminum below...? 

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ


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On 2011-07-23, at 6:14 PM, k3hx at juno.com wrote:

> I'm rebuilding a TH-3 which has been stored under a shed for at least a decade.  The elements are now oxidized to a dark grey with parts of the elements having bumps of white powder on them.
> 
> The trap endcaps are blistered and split, replacements are on hand.
> 
> I'd appreciate any hits, tips, pearls of wisdom, advice, cautions or experience the reader would care to share.
> 
> In particular, I do not look forward to removing the oxidation from the elements with abrasive sponges although I'm willing to do so to assure a good job.  Is there some manner of vile chemistry I can dip the disassembled elements into, perhaps in a long, shallow tray that will make the job less labor-intensive?
> 
> Also concerned about the traps and assuring that they will not fail in service.  (100w maximum, most of the time...QRP..HI!)
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Tim
> 
> 
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