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  1. #1
    Jeremiah started this thread.
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    Copper To Iron Ratio in Transformers/Electric Motors

    This has been discussed before, but I can't seem to find the link in the search function. I have approximately 400 pounds in transformers and 100 pounds in Electric Motors. As is, my payout is as follows

    Transformers: 400@ .32 =$128
    EM: 100@ .25 = $25



    As a general rule of thumb, what percentage of a 10 pound transformer would be copper? What percentage of a 10 pound electric motor would be copper?


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    Don't have the answer to that question but would Like to know that answer myself
    Alvord iron and salvage
    3rd generation scrapper and dam proud of it

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    even if you had the weight to weight ratio, would it mean one way was better than another? I'm seeing some are worth working with, and some are just too much trouble. At what point would you decide whether to tear it down?

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    It works out profitable for fridge motors as they only give you 'light iron' price for it because they don't know whats inside it.

    Fridge motor is 9-10Kg, say after scrapping I get 8Kg Heavy Iron & 1Kg Copper.

    ie, before I got $1 for it, after scrapping I get $2 for the Iron & $8 for the Copper.

    Maybe I should call this "How to make $9 from $1......"

  5. #5
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    I don't thing you can be given an accurit % becuse some motors have aluminim windings also some transformers have half aluminim and half copper and some have all copper. Both the yards I use pay the same for motors and transformers and I only brake down some of the motors. The small motors and all transformers get sold whole. Also the armature that come out of the motors with copper windings I sell as motors.
    Last edited by happyscraper; 05-14-2012 at 02:18 AM.

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    Small electric motors On the .5 thru 2 horsepower on the average will yield 10 percent.Again I repeat on average,some up to 12 percent have experienced 14 percent but rarely.Like someone post above make sure they do have copper winding by cutting a piece of the windings and check.If you go by color you can be fooled.The yield is based on starting weight without pumps,pulleys etc...

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    The few I've weighed and tested the ratio yeilded around 18% copper recovery. This will obviously vary. Unless you are super efficient, have a lot of time, or need to squeeze every dollar. I wouldn't, then again I only have so many hours during the week. Tear a few apart post results.

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    My yard prices our electric motors at 10% of the bare bright price. So right now bare bright is $3.38 and we are paying $.34 a pound for EM's

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