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William Monk

Mon Mar 15 2010, 02:57AM

Registered Member #2470 Joined: Tue Nov 17 2009, 05:47AM
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 43

So does anyone know where i can get a pole mount distribution transformer in so-cal? I have been passively looking for a couple of years now, but i have never found one. I have heard that they are easy to get, but i just cant figure out where you guys get them. It seems weird calling up Edison and asking if they have any transformers they want gone. Thanks for any insight,
William

radiotech

Mon Mar 15 2010, 05:42PM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

You might try for a dry (indoor) transformer. These are bundled with lighting panelboards in places that use about 30kVA of fixtures. Scrap dealers get the cabinets when building are demolished.
typical 25 kVA/3/13.8 kV/575. They measure about72"x36"x36"
The transformers sit in the bottom and the panelboard and high voltage disconnect is on front. The dealer may let you take the tranny out if you pay him the copper price.

They are heavy and tippy.

Plant lighting is set up with multiple cabinets so if a transformer burns out the whole place isn't dark. (which also means if you find a tranny in a scrap heap it could be burned out.

quicksilver

Mon Mar 15 2010, 06:18PM

Registered Member #1408 Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679

Pole x-former acquisition depends on the electric company many times. Try to find the companies "storage-yard": often in the area (a heavy industrial zone) you'll see a lot of big power company related materials in a scrap yard type enclosure. If you don't ask; you'll never know....a six pack helps things too. Just walk up and look around. Many times they may want the $ for the copper or have some concerns but just as many.....they will give you run of the pace if you haul it out of there. They don't seem to like to be driving a fork-lift around. Look for a yard that has all the goodies in the same color - that's the way you can see it from far away. If you get it in a truck: cover it. It may be totally cool & surplus but the sheriff will very likely ask you about it if it's waving in the wind-so to speak.
They are seriously heavy! It's NOT a simple thing to get one (in one piece) on to a truck. They are no fun to lift. and you can't let them roll around - you'll break the ceramic.
That's how I got one for free. I sold it for $100 and the guy thought he really hit the jack-pot. But it was found money to me. There are many different things on poles and some of them have little utilitarian value (IMO).

Ken Herrick

Sun Mar 28 2010, 04:34PM

Registered Member #2489 Joined: Mon Nov 30 2009, 06:23PM
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Posts: 17

I've got one, but not in So. CA; in Oakland. 7200V, no PCBs, never used by me, purch. from T&R 25-odd yrs ago. $120 f.o.b. my carport (you load it into your pickup; heavy!!)

William Monk

Mon Mar 29 2010, 03:00AM

Registered Member #2470 Joined: Tue Nov 17 2009, 05:47AM
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 43

I would love to come pick that up if it wouldn't cost me a ton in gas :S.

Ken Herrick

Mon Mar 29 2010, 03:21PM

Registered Member #2489 Joined: Mon Nov 30 2009, 06:23PM
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Posts: 17

Yep...just about the same in gas, right? But think of it as a vacation. Lovely drive, Hwy 5. (Been there, done that.)

KCH

William Monk

Mon Mar 29 2010, 10:49PM

Registered Member #2470 Joined: Tue Nov 17 2009, 05:47AM
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 43

It's kind of funny, cause i'm going up to lake tahoe with my dad next week, Oakland is only a 2 hour detour. But i'm really looking for a 14.4kV pig. If anyone has one in the general 100 mile radius of lake tahoe, please let me know asap

Patrick

Fri Apr 02 2010, 05:56PM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

hey, Why buy and drag a 9000 pound transformer all over the state of cali? just build a 70 pound ferrite one as decribed by Steve Ward. unless its an ego thing and you have to have one, then maybe i could snag one to.

radiotech

Fri Apr 02 2010, 06:17PM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

If ferrite could be used in pole transformers a good percentage of the global electrical energy waste would be solved.

The average pole pig loafs at low loads heating the iron and copper.
The holy grail would be an AC/AC invertor. Its a race to see if Edison was right (superconductor lines) or a smart pig is developed that can run unattended for 60 years of abuse by lightning and temperature swings.

A really smart pig, could also see 300 or so watts of solar occupying the wasted real estate on the poles making the network cogenerational.

William Monk

Fri Apr 02 2010, 07:23PM

Registered Member #2470 Joined: Tue Nov 17 2009, 05:47AM
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 43

It's no ego thing, really, but i have found most coilers will sell a pole pig for $100 - 200, 20 pounds of copper is pretty close to than number already.

Also, where did you find Steve's ferrite xformer? I can't find it anywhere.

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