leaking lexan, was: Stats of my new capacitor

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: leaking lexan, was: Stats of my new capacitor
From: "Coiler" <mycroft-at-access1-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 11:27:00 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

I've not had this problem, or I should say, not severe problems.
My 2 boxes have leaked, but only from the top seam. My first one
I made the mistake of trying to use cork as a gasket. Leak city. however
the sides have never leaked.
Box 2, I used a channel cut with my dremel tool, and an o-ring. I get some
minor leaking when the oil gets sloshed around, but that is all. Again
this is from the top seal only (where I attach via #10 screws, so I can
open and repair when it becomes needed)

My technique was to use:
1) #16 Cement. This is a jellied form of Methelyne Chloride.
2) All mating surfaces were machined.
3) After the #16 had fully cured, I ran a bead of RTV along all
   inside seams.

This is similar to what is done for fish tanks.

As I said, the only leaks are from the bolt on lid, and through my
connections (which I forgot to put washers on :/)

As long as I don't slosh, no leaks.

As for pulling a vacuum on a large box? I don't recommend it.
I've done it on my boxes, but I just used a household vacuum cleaner.
This is maybe 18" WC? Not strong, but enough to bubble out a lot.


Michael Baumann
Coiler, Homebrewer, Nerd. mycroft-at-access1-dot-net


> >    I have had miserable luck with acrylic plastic containers. I have not
> > built one yet that did not seep oil. Your best bet is to use the epoxy
> > coated wooden box. If you build it right (make sure you seal ALL of the
> > cracks before applying a couple of coats of epoxy) it won't leak until
> > doomsday.
> >
> >                                Frankensteins Helper
> >                                       Max
>
> I have had bad luck with lexan boxes also.  You will have to make your
> container very strong if you are going to pull a vacuum.  I have crushed
> all sorts of containers by pulling vacuums on them.  Any thing that has
> a large flat surface area will bow crack or crush under the atmospheres
> preasure.  Build it strong!
> --
> 	Jeff Larson		jflarson-at-starnetinc-dot-com
>
>
>