[Boatanchors] Drying out power supplies?

Mon Apr 13 13:28:50 EDT 2020

During my 16 years in the FAA's depot overhaul shop here in Oklahoma City, various electronic items were stripped of water sensitive items and power washed with detergent and water solutions.  After some air drying, they were put into ovens for 24 hours (or more) at probably something like 150 degrees.  Standard procedure for total overhauls.

I had a 27 inch or so color TV that was pretty well soaked from 5 days of intermittent rain after our house was destroyed by the 3 May 1999 tornado.  Lots of debris was inside the case.  In August, I removed control pots and speakers and sealed the high voltage connection on the big CRT then scrubbed the whole thing with stiff brush and cold tap water from the garden hose.  I left it in the sun on patio for two days with high temps around 100.  Put it back together and it worked just fine for several years when I bought a new digital capable LED screen set and sold the old one to a ham buddy who just wanted to play his VHS tapes through it.

I would estimate that you should remove the electrolytic filter capacitors and any plastic parts from the power supplies and bake the supplies at 150 or so for 24-48 hours then reassemble and check it out!

73 de Mac, K2GKK/5
Since 30 Nov 1953
Oklahoma City, OK
USAF, Retired ('61-'81)
FAA, Retired ('94-'10)

________________________________
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net <boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Gary Hitchner <talgarth at comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2020 12:09
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Boatanchors] Drying out power supplies?

Would anybody have some opinions or recommendations on drying out old power
supplies in a oven?

Here's the story,

Since I have now some time, (unfortunately, but keeping busy), I started
looking at some of the items in the basement and garage, and found a 516F-2
and some Heathkit power supplies.

I seem to remember my Elmer, (in the 70's) , telling me he dried out
transformers or complete power supplies which had been stored in damp
climates in the oven.

Any recommendations or  opinions on how long and temperature to be
effective?  Should the transformers be removed and out in the oven?

Is this a bad idea?

Thanks for help on this, obviously these supplies are worth saving, if
possible.

Gary

WA2OMY

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