Government surplus pole pigs

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Government surplus pole pigs
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 23:32:51 -0500
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net


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From:  Jim Monte [SMTP:JDM95003-at-UCONNVM.UCONN.EDU]
Sent:  Wednesday, August 19, 1998 11:39 AM
To:  tesla-at-pupman-dot-com; thorntor-at-rc.pafb.af.mil
Subject:  Re: Government surplus pole pigs


Russ,

You really need to know more about the transformers before you even
consider the logistics of distribution.  Here is why I say this:

  " the big ones" could be very big.  It is truly the ambitious
  coilers who are interested in transformers in the MVA range.

  Distribution transformers come in a wide range of voltages, and
  many are a bit low for Tesla coil use.  In fact, I was told by
  a company that rebuilds them that the "standard" 14.4 kV voltage
  used in Tesla coils is uncommon.

  Make sure that these are PCB free.  Otherwise you will buying a
  lot of potential headaches.

Assuming you have a good batch -- all or nearly all around 10 kVA and
14.4 kV+ and ALL PCB free -- here is a guideline for the cost.  I talked
to someone from asset recovery at a large utility company, and he said
that they sell transformers to foreign countries for $7 - $10 per kVA.
These transformers are working but "as is" .  The only thing done to
them is that they are tested to be sure that they are free of PCBs.
Since you are bidding on a lot, a guess would be that you should offer
somewhat less than this, say $3 - $5 per kVA.  At this price, it may
still be possible to get a good deal even with the shipping.  Please
look into what is actually there.  I'm not overly optimistic, but it
may be a good deal.

Jim Monte

>From:  Thornton, Russ #CSR2000 [SMTP:ThorntoR-at-rc.pafb.af.mil]
>Sent:  Tuesday, August 18, 1998 12:40 PM
>To:  'Tesla discussion Group'
>Subject:  Government surplus pole pigs
>
>Hi guys,
>I have just come from the salvage yard here on base.  They have 43 pole
>pigs.  The big ones.  They are going out for national sales but they
>have not been advertised yet.  I am hesitant to offer this but is there
>an interest to bid on these.  I have no idea or history on what these go
>for at auction.  My major concern would be the logistics of distribution
>if there were enough interest to cover them or most of them.  They are
>going to be sold as one lot.   I have not done a close inspection of
>them but they look in pretty good condition.  There is time to formulate
>some kind of a plan as the government has not got all their paperwork
>together.  If anyone has any interest or suggestions how we could pull
>this off if we got the bid.
>
>Russ Thornton
>CSR 2040,
>Building 989, Rm.  A1-N20
>Phone: (407) 494-6430
>Email: thorntor-at-rc.pafb.af.mil
>
>