[Boatanchors] [Heathkit] FS: Heath Cantenna

[Richard Knoppow]

     I don't think pure PCBs were used for anything.   The oil used in 
transformers and capacitors was mineral oil with PCBs added to improve 
its performance.  Oils with PCBs were very widely used in both high 
power transformers and in oil filled paper capacitors intended for 
either long life or high voltage or both.  Most PCBs were made by 
Monsanto but were used under many brand names by various manufacturers.  
General Electric called them Pyranol in their products but GE was only 
one of the companies to use them. It is difficult now to know if an old 
capacitor was filled with an oil with PCB in it unless its marked with a 
trade name.   There is a great deal of infomation available on the web.
      To be blunt anyone who thinks that the dangers of PCBs or mercury 
or lead or cadmium are overblown needs to do some studying.

On 5/9/2015 8:36 PM, KA4INM wrote:
>   On 05/09/2015 11:14 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>
>>       I found the MFJ cantenna on their web site.  The oil is about $30
>> a gallon.  I don't know if this includes shipping.   My veterinary
>> mineral oil cost about $25 a gallon.  The performance of the transformer
>> oil is significantly better for not much more money.   I don't know what
>> is used in place of the PCBs AKA Askerel, but it evidently works OK.
>> PCBs are very toxic.  A web search will get you more than you really
>> want to know.
>
>   Question solved:
>
> "Transformer oil or insulating oil is a highly refined mineral oil that
> is stable at high temperatures and has excellent electrical insulating
> properties. It is used in oil-filled transformers, some types of high
> voltage capacitors, fluorescent lamp ballasts, and some types of high
> voltage switches and circuit breakers. Its functions are to insulate,
> suppress corona and arcing, and to serve as a coolant."
>
>   from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer_oil
>
>   Although a mixture of mineral oil and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
> was sometimes used some, pure PCB was very expensive and used in
> transformers only where a coolant that does not burn was needed such in
> buildings a requirement is such places as NYC where there is no room
> for sub-stations or pole transformers.
>   Pure PCB can easily be tested for there is no reason to guess,
> mineral oil floats, but pure PCB sinks in water.

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL