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microwave transformers
By bob g, Section Classifieds Posted on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 04:47:21 AM MST
where can i get a matched set of three?

i am looking for a source of surplus microwave transformers
i need a matched set of 3 in the 1000 to 1200watt range
i see alot on ebay,, but only singles and i don't know enough about them
to tell if the cores are identical?
they are for a rewind project i have in mind for a 3 phase step down setup.
anyone got a source?
bob g
bob, since you are looking for hardware, I bumped this into the ads section. I kicked it to the Front Page so more folks will see it. TW

microwave transformers | 15 comments (15 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by tecker on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 09:20:20 AM MST
(User Info)

Trift store has a lot for aroubd 6 to 10 bucks the wattage match or make model match should get you what you need .

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by dinges on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 10:01:44 AM MST
(User Info)

I usually get my microwaves for free. After all, they're trash. I certainly would not pay any money for them, on E-bay or anywhere else, whether they work or not.

If you're looking on E-bay and willing to spend money, you might as well try to find a suitable 3 phase transformer there. If only for the core if the voltages are not suitable for your application.

If I needed a 3 phase transformer, my first thought would be to visit the local scrapyards. Cheap & easy. Perhaps a machine dealer (who deals in 2nd hand industrial machines) could be a solution too. Usually they have a few old machine cabinets or control panels lying around from machines that couldn't be sold. There are bound to be some 3 phase transformers in there.

These 3 phase transformers may even be simpler to rewind than microwave transformers, which are usually welded. The industrial transformers may still have been designed and built to be able to be repaired, unlike their microwave counterparts.

Good luck,

Peter.

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by Sundog on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 12:18:39 PM MST
(User Info)

Best place to find them for free is on trash day. Usually they're out by the curb. Ask the owner if they care if you take it, since taking trash by the curb is still legally considered theft (don't ask me, I didn't make the rule). Also hit up appliance repair centers. Usually they throw out the ovens as they're more costly to fix than to replace.

Beware!

The newer units use a high frequency inverter instead of an old-fashioned steel cored transformer. They're easily distinguishable by the absolute lack of "heft" needed to lift them up. Lots of goodies in there, but probably nothing useful for your intended application.

Oh, and bypassing the safety switches to power up the magnetron when it's outside the over or the door is open is a great way to go blind/cook yourself/die. Most ovens are wired so that if the door is open, the cover is off, or you've not jimmied ALL the interlocks, it short-circuits the input and blows the fuse.

Just my $.02

Shad H.

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by dinges on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 12:47:02 PM MST
(User Info)

"ypassing the safety switches to power up the magnetron when it's outside the over or the door is open is a great way to go blind/cook yourself/die"

You mean like this ?

http://users.pandora.be/yourico/micro_wave.htm

Plenty of crazy people out there ;)

Peter.

[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 02:22:18 PM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

I wish I could read that . . .
What is the guy trying to do there,
Death Ray or something ?

W o o f -={(

[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by dinges on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 02:55:55 PM MST
(User Info)

He's not clear about the purpose. There's only one line saying 'it can be used to destroy electronics from nearby'.

I think it's just a for-fun project. Judging by his other projects (jet powered bikes, for example) he's a creative person with a large stash of high-tech junk and a rich imagination :)

Maybe he's trying to contact ET ?

Peter.

[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by WXYZCIENCE on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 06:16:05 PM MST
(User Info)

Woofer, He is simply using it to heat an object placed in front of it. You can slip in the tub and be gone also. Joseph

[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by asheets on Tue Mar 18th, 2008 at 09:31:28 AM MST
(User Info)

Didn't one of the Dans used to host a Mad Scientist website where one of the projects was a plasma generator built from an old microwave? I wish I could find the link...
_____________________________

Alan Sheets
[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by richhagen (richhagen (a t) Juno.com) on Wed Mar 19th, 2008 at 03:52:40 AM MST
(User Info)

It looks like he's building a small HERF, High Energy Radio Frequency generator with a directional antenna. Probably illegal to operate in most countries. Rich
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'
[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by Electron Skipper (emnefairAHTecenetDUTcom) on Sun Mar 30th, 2008 at 10:05:19 AM MST
(User Info)

Oh, the fellow is not completely insane, he does have his safety warning at the bottom (of course).

And there are two versions of it too.

But he is not in the same league as "Arc Starter" was.

Yes, safe bet illegal in most countries.
30 KiloWatt Brats anyone?
[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by bob g on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 04:39:26 PM MST
(User Info)

not knowing whether i can luck into finding 3 matched cores, i was hoping someone had a link to a source of new old stock or surplus transformers, that way i can be
sure to have a matched set.
i need them matched so that the primaries are all the same, i plan on replacing the secondaries anyway.
i know they are welded, i figured on removing the weld (grind/mill/cut) as needed
and then reassemble.

i don't mind paying for the transformers so that i don't have to part out 20 microwaves trying to get three matched units...

anyone got a source for new ones?

i had thought of looking for an existing 3 phase transfomer, but they are rare in the 3-5kva range, been looking at ebay and haven't found one yet.
i can find larger ones locally, but they are too big for my purposes.

thanks for the advice though guys :)

bob g

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by dinges on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 04:50:34 PM MST
(User Info)

Check out these guys:

http://dawntreader.net/hvgroup/trans.html

Peter.

[ Parent ]

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by bob golding (photoman290 at yahoo dot com) on Mon Mar 17th, 2008 at 06:27:46 PM MST
(User Info)

hi bob g,
have a look on the 4hv.org forum,or the tcml tesla coil mailing list. www.pupman.com lots of tesla coilers use them. i have around 30 of them but i am in the uk so no good for you. try to get the gardner ones if you can. they might have only fitted them to the uk models but worth asking.

cheers
bob golding

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Tue Mar 18th, 2008 at 12:14:43 PM MST
(User Info)

I've taken enough microwaves apart that I probably have 3 identical transformers sitting around. If it really comes down to it, I could send them to you. The shipping cost would not be worthwhile, when you can just get them in the dump.

Surely there are a thousand abandoned microwaves in the city nearest you. People leave them either at the curb (if the city will accept old appliances), at computer/electronics recycling depots, charity drop-offs, and, of course the dump itself. Don't forget garage sales: it is almost spring, you know. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to find and eviscerate as many as necessary!
Steven Fahey

Re: microwave transformers (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by Boss (brians.outfit(at)gmail.com) on Sat Mar 22nd, 2008 at 06:52:42 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.outfitnm.com

I too have twenty microwave ovens leftover from my last service shop. So where are you located? I'm in northern New Mexico.
Brian Rodgers

microwave transformers | 15 comments (15 topical, 0 editorial)

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