Re: where to get dielectric oil? =

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "David Rieben" <drieben-at-midsouth.rr-dot-com> 

Hi Terry, all,

Yes, this is Steve Flowers and I have obtained a total of three x-ray
transformers from him in the past, including my latest 150 kV, 600
mA "catch" just a few weeks ago for $50 ;^)) This latest transformer
"catch" was the one that I was having trouble with the phenolic sup-
ports for one of the HV output tabs from the transformer-to-rectifier
assemblies carbon tracking to the grounded steel walls of the tank and ended
up replacing the phenolic support piece  three times before
finally following Dr. R's advice and replacing the phenolic with G-10.
I didn't have any more suitable scrap pieces of G-10 to replace the
phenolic support on the other side (strangely enough, in all three
carbon tracking incidents, it was always the same phenolic support
that failed; the one on the opposite side never failed). However, I
still replaced the "non-tracking" phenolic support with a piece of
PE from a cheap poly cutting board. So far this has worked fine.

But getting back to the oil issue, the oil that Steve has on ebay
all of the time is oil that he has drained from x-ray transformers.
He now lives within 100 miles from me and that's how I was
able to pick up the latest transformer w/out concern for the freight
arrangement and cost. Like you, though, I'm a little concerned
about the purity of his oil since it's drained from old transformers
and he doesn't have the proper facilities for maintaining or retaining
the strengent purity levels required for dielectric oil. However, I have
used  some of Steve's dielectric oil without breakdown problems but
in one of the bottles I did notice a few "bubbles" of water in the
bottom. I may try a local oil jobber and if the price is too high, then
I'll just call on Steve ;^)

David


----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:51 AM
Subject: RE: where to get dielectric oil? =


 > Original poster: Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-twfpowerelectronics-dot-com>
 >
 > Hi,
 >
 > This Ebay guy has been selling oil for years:
 >
 >
http://cgi.ebay-dot-com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4660&item=3833810451
 >
 > I would worry about contamination...  Transformer oil and the use it goes
 > into needs to be very clean and free of water.  Big substation
transformers
 > go through a dramatic oil drying and cleaning process (two big semis full
 > of equipment)...  But if the thing is clean and you heat it say in the
sun,
 > that should be fine.
 >
 > Transformer oil is free of light solvents and other odd oils that might
 > attack insulation and such over time.  It also has a controlled dielectric
 > constant with is sometimes important to the HV industry.  So it is better
 > than just any oil if the application is really demanding.  Testing it with
 > high voltage first is a good idea if it is really being pushed hard.
 >
 > Cheers,
 >
 >          Terry
 >
 > At 05:47 AM 8/19/2004, you wrote:
 > >About 4 years ago I tested several different type of oils and posted the
 > >results here.   I bought some HV oil from the power company.  I
discovered
 > >not to walk into the main office and ask to buy HV oil you will be told
 > >that they do not sell it.  Go to the power company maintenance department
 > >and ask to buy HV oil.  They will sell it to you for about $2.00 a
gallon.
 > >I tested lamp oil, 10wt non detergent motor oil, kerosene, diesel fuel,
and
 > >several other oils.  As long as they have no additives they will all work
 > >fine.   Lamp oil from Wal Mart seems to be the easiest for everyone to
find
 > >and it comes in quarts and gallons.   Get uncented lamp oil 100% pure
oil.
 > >I tested the oil by placing an adjustable spark gap under the oil and
 > >connecting it to 15KV power supply.   Measure the gap and try different
 > >oils to see which one works best.   Put a cap in parallel with your
 > >transformer and test it again.
 > >
 > >Gary Weaver
 > >gary350-at-earthlink-dot-net
 > >Why Wait?  Move to EarthLink.
 > >
 > >
 > > > [Original Message]
 > > > From: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > > > To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > > > Date: 8/18/2004 10:45:09 PM
 > > > Subject: where to get  dielectric oil?
 > > >
 > > > Original poster: "David Rieben" <drieben-at-midsouth.rr-dot-com>
 > > >
 > > > Hi list,
 > > >
 > > > I'm sure that this has been covered before, but where can I
 > > > get new dielectric transformer oil (like Shell Diala?) in small
 > > > quantities, like 5 gallon buckets? I assume just call one of
 > > > the local oil manufacturers?
 > > >
 > > > David
 > > >
 > > >
 >
 >