[Boatanchors] Oily wires?

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Phil,

PCBs - Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls. These are a large group of chemicals 
developed in the 1950s and used as electrical insulators in a wide range of 
electrical appliances - especially transformers. 

The above copied off a HazMat consultant's web site a few minutes ago.  I was 
almost certain that the use of PCB's was no earlier than the 50's but thought 
I'd get a "second opinion".

The oil leaking from the capacitors in the Super Pro is probably ordinary 
transformer oil, which is mineral oil, albeit better refined than what you'll buy 
at the drug store.  I wouldn't drink it (although some people take it as a 
laxative), and I would avoid breathing smoke or vapor from it as much as 
possible, but mainly in the same way as I would avoid breathing smoke from a pile of 
burning leaves, or automobile exhaust fumes.  The preferred lung intake for 
humans is an oxygen-nitrogen-carbon dioxide mix, light on the CO2.  Anything 
else may not be harmful but isn't helpful.  Unless you're tracking something like 
a pot roast by smell.  :-)

To answer your question about the oil soaked wiring harness, the oil itself 
is an excellent insulator (otherwise it would not have been used in capacitors 
and transformers).  Air blown contaminants like dust, etc., may or may not be. 
 I would at a minimum clean any locations where bare wire shows, as at 
terminals.  Depending on physical considerations, you might clean the entire harness 
by suspending the chassis over a catch basin and washing the harness down 
with a light solvent, like Varsol or Stoddard Solvents.  Lightly brush the whole 
area, and especially bare areas, with something like a toothbrush or small 
paintbrush.  Let dry.  Then remove the remaining slightly oily surface (which 
will still attract dust) with something like isopropyl alcohol and let dry.  
Usual comments about well ventilated area, open flames, etc. apply.  Likewise 
stenciling and other components, although if they are still OK after years of 
soaking in transformer oil, you aren't likely to hurt them.

Incidentally, AES has from time to time over the years had both solid and 
stranded rubber insulated cotton covered wire for sale in various gauges and 
colors.  I usually buy some every time I spot any in their catalog that I don't 
already have.


In a message dated 12/21/2004 7:29:02 PM Central Standard Time, 
beaconeer at mercednet.com writes: 
> On working with this set I also have to presume this stuff probably had 
> PCB's in it and am careful not to breath any soldering fumes etc and to 
> wash my hands frequently while working on it (most of the residue seems 
> dry).
> 
> MY REAL question is this.  I know the oil was used as an insulator in 
> capacitors (I left the bathtubs in place, just cut them from the 
> circuits).  Can I assume that the cotton coated wiring harness that was 
> "contaminated" by it is still properly insulated from the chassis and 
> each other?  The reason I ask is because I have no "authentic" 1930's 
> 1940's cotton coated wire to replace the harness with, it would have to 
> be modern, brightly colored plastic stuff.  And besides, I don't 
> "really" fancy replacing that harness anyway.
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
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