[TowerTalk] Oil for Dummy Load

[Jim Lux]

On 11/28/15 9:25 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> My Cantenna-type dummy load developed a pinhole leak in the can, and all
> the mineral oil drained out.  I have several gallons of clean (unused)
> peanut oil left over from Thanksgiving.  Is there any reason not to use
> this instead? From internet sources, the flash point appears to be
> higher than mineral oil.
>

It will spoil. You could probably add some form of preservative to 
prevent that.

You probably aren't worrying so much about high voltage standoff, so the 
the water content isn't a big deal.

Another issue is the viscosity.  if you're expecting thermally driven 
flow, having a different viscosity can change that.  If you're going for 
short bursts, and just using the oil for thermal mass.

Real insulating oil is mineral oil, often with a preservative.