[Heathkit] FS: Heath Cantenna - Caution About The Oil

Sun May 10 01:24:28 EDT 2015

Regal is now a Chevron trade name, I am not sure the Texaco name is used 
anymore.   There is a data sheet for this oil at:

https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=323789&docFormat=PDF

The problem is that it says keep away from flames, sparks, and hot 
surfaces.  However, it looks very good as a general purpose machine oil 
and is recommended for electric motor bearings.

On 5/9/2015 10:08 PM, Jim Shorney wrote:
> >From the 1985 Radio Amateur's Hanbook, pp.34-17 to 34-19:
>
> Selection of the coolant for the resistor involved a lengthly
> investigation. The use of PCB transformer oils is illegal and involves
> a serious health hazard. The investigation did identify several
> modern-day transformer and heat transfer oils that could be used, but
> none are available for purchase in any quantity less than a 55-gallon
> drum. Transformer oil has lower viscosity. That means lower resistor
> tepmeratures, but at the penalty of using an oil with a 140 to 150 C
> flash point (vaporization temperature). Transformer oil is also treated
> to remove water, but maintaining this dry condition is difficult and
> expensive. Calculations of the fluid heat transfer show that turbulent
> nature convection flow exists for rated power levels. The use of higher
> viscosity oil produces higher resistor temperatures, but the gain in
> flash point temperature is greater than the rise in resistor
> temperature. Oils designed for heat transfer have flash points in the
> 230 to 250 C region.
>
>    Heat transfer oils are composed predominantly of mineral oil. Highly
> refined or medicinal mineral oil has a usably high flash point but at
> an undesirably high cost. Heat transfer oils contain small amounts of
> rust and oxidation inhibitors, making them preferable to mineral oils.
> Heat transfer oils are not available in small quantities, but in at
> least one case the very same product is relabeled and sold in 5 gallon
> cans for service as a "turbine oil". That product is sold by TEXACO
> distributors as Regal Oil R&O No. 46.
>
>    Use of automotive and transmission oils is undesirable. They are
> composed of a wide mixture of oils with different flash points. Motor
> oil additives will damage the metal platings on an RF resistor. There
> is no danger in the short term use of automotive oils, but the
> long-term effects are a problem. Further, there are no economic
> advantages with automotive oils, as they cost as much as turbine oil.
>
> --from the "Super Dummy" construction article, designed by ARRL TA Dick
> Jansson, WD4FAB.
>
>
> On Sat, 9 May 2015 17:34:57 -0700, Chuck Penson wrote:
>
>> With transformer oil the Cantenna will handle 1000 watts for 10 minutes. With mineral oil the 1KW rating drops to less than a minute.
>> Chuck / WA7ZZE
>
>
>> "Remain open to the possibility of the fantastic." -- Terry Hansen
>>> On May 9, 2015, at 2:53 PM, RAY FRIESS <rayfrijr at msn.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Best thing to use in them is mineral oil.   Go to your nearest farm supply store, like IFA, and get a gallon.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Date: Sat, 9 May 2015 16:59:08 -0400
>>>> From: wd8arz at comcast.net
>>>> To: heathkit at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Subject: Re: [Heathkit] FS:  Heath  Cantenna - Caution About The Oil
>>>>
>>>> =========
>>>> Just an FYI
>>>> =========
>>>>
>>>> Original Heath Kit Cantenna's were built by the purchaser from Heath,
>>>> with instructions on filling it with Transformer Oil from your local
>>>> power utility if possible ...... and most were, as I did with mine.
>>>>
>>>> Over the years we learned that the transformer oil was a toxic agent,
>>>> and was not to be handled, and it was recommended to remove it from the
>>>> dummy load. Removal of that oil and proper disposal was required, and I
>>>> did so with mine.
>>>>
>>>> Replacement oil was normal over the counter mineral oil. It would derate
>>>> the power / time handling spec for the cantenna, but for those of us
>>>> running barefoot, that was a none issue.
>>>>
>>>> =========
>>>> Just an FYI
>>>> =========
>>>> http://www.epa.gov/region9/pcbs/faq.html
>>>> ***
>>>> What are Polychlorinated Biphenyls?
>>>>
>>>> The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of
>>>> evidence they build up in the environment and can cause harmful health
>>>> effects.
>>>>
>>>> Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals which are no
>>>> longer produced in the United States, but are still found in the
>>>> environment. PCBs have been used as coolants and lubricants in
>>>> transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment because they
>>>> don't burn easily and are good insulators. The manufacture of PCBs was
>>>> stopped in the U.S. in 1977 because of evidence they build up in the
>>>> environment and can cause harmful health effects. Products made before
>>>> 1977 that may contain PCBs include old fluorescent lighting fixtures and
>>>> electrical devices containing PCB capacitors and hydraulic oils.
>>>> ***
>>>>
>>>> 73 from Bill - WD8ARZ
>>>>
>>>>> On 5/9/2015 3:37 PM, Walter Treftz via Heathkit wrote:
>>>>> Got a Heath "Cantenna" dummy load out of an estate. Price: $25 pluspostage, with or without oil. Located in Hernando (Ocala/Inverness area) and if bought, can deliver free to a mutually-attended hamfest.(if using shipping, can wrap it inside several trash bags so the oil cango with it). Pix avail if I can get my kid (the family photo-bug) to take them.73 Walt (N4GL)(352) 637-1755
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>>>                          
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>
> --
> Ham Radio NU0C
> Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.S.A.
> TR7/RV7/R7A/L7, TR6/RV6, T4XC/R4C/L4B, NCL2000, SB104A, R390A, GT550A/RV550A, HyGain 3750, IBM PS/2 - all vintage, all the time!
>
> "Give a man a URL, and he will learn for an hour; teach him to Google, and he will learn for a lifetime."
>
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> http://incolor.inetnebr.com/jshorney
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>
>
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-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL