UPS transformer breakdown

I had this big UPS transformer (APC UPS 3000 it was i think) on shelf, so i thought id share breakdown of it.
Weight is kg.


Here it is:
http://www.hot.ee/kuller00/TR1.jpg

I took those metal E&I shape parts out 1 by 1 with scredriver. First ones were hard to get but rest came more easely. Midway through:
http://www.hot.ee/kuller00/TR2.jpg

Heres load of metal:
http://www.hot.ee/kuller00/TR3.jpg

And this is the goodie part. One layer was rectangular shape wire, others round.
http://www.hot.ee/kuller00/TR4.jpg


Summary:
When sell as whole:
Transformer 0,2kg+: 5,515kg*0,53€=2,9€

After breakdown:
Metal: 4,21kg*0,155€=0,65€
Copper #2: 1,155kg*4€=4,62€
Plastics+tape: 0,15kg*0€=0€
Total: 5,27€

Value increase 2,37€

## For those who want to see calculation in lbs/USD:

When sell as whole:
Transformer 0,2kg+: 12,158lb*0,32USD=3,89USD

After breakdown:
Metal: 9,28lb*0,09USD=0,83USD
Copper #2: 2,546lb*2,43USD=6,19USD
Plastics+tape: 0,33lb*0=0USD
Total: 7,02USD

Value increase 3,13USD

How long did the break down take you?

anything over 10 mins and your better off putting your time else where.

Since i do this as a hobby, time is irrelevant. As for posting purpose it took abit longer.
I didnt look clock but it was somewhat 1-2 hours.

I repeat again, time is irrelevant. Its not wasted, its 1+kg copper in my bucket.

Thanks for the break down. Next time try a sawzall to get through the brackets. Also look up Jackschmuck( i think its spelled right) in the video section here, he had a good video on how to break those apart relatively easy without powertools. You also may want to scratch the windings to see if they are copper or aluminum. Good luck.

wow that's a long time it takes me less than a minute to wack one apart with a 2lb hammer and it locked in a vice but the idea you have is right its about having fun and making money I get a lot from microwaves ups and many other things even nice older printers have some big ones thanks for sharing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER

Also look up Jackschmuck( i think its spelled right) in the video section here, he had a good video on how to break those apart relatively easy without powertools.

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If you do see that video and decide to try it, I would recommend using a cold chisel and not a hatchet to break it apart. Too much of a chance for injury otherwise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuller00

I repeat again, time is irrelevant. Its not wasted, its 1+kg copper in my bucket.

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my apologies kuller, the photos sometimes don't load for me until the 3rd or 4th visit to a page. Somewhere I gathered it was the whole unit and not a lone transformer(headbang! ; ) The older stuff usually has the best components. It's a shame too they don't pay #1 on those big square windings

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuller00

Since i do this as a hobby, time is irrelevant. As for posting purpose it took abit longer.
I didnt look clock but it was somewhat 1-2 hours.

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Most (but not all) people take and cut the one end off the copper loop and punch the rest thru and out the other side.

Quote:

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Get a 4.5 inch cutoff wheel from harbor frieght, and a pack of the thin metal discs, use coupons and it will cost $15. If you need cash flow spend the 5 minutes per transformer if they are decent sizes you will get cash flow, I used to save them for rainy days when I had nothing to break down because I did it with a hammer and chisel, now I like to get into them b/c they are worth more $/min than anything else. I get them from grow lights and always cut them down.

Full article at Scrap Metal Forum: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...#ixzz2cTNsk9uP

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http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/day-l...nsformers.html

I brought one of those 'superthin' cutoff discs & it hasn't got the sidepressure strength that a normal 3mm thick disc has. It broke off around the boss on the shaft before cutting thru one end of a fridge compressor windings.

The transformer mentioned above was probably a microwave transformer. They (and the transformers in home stereos - I found out last night) have the 'I's & the 'E'es stacked & by using a hammer (or hatchet) you can bash it apart into 2 peices.
Then the copper coil comes out as one solid peice.

The transformer in the UPS (which would be worth less than the whole UPS to a solar energy nutter) has the I & E interlaced.
Thats when you cut the end off the windings & punch the rest out of the solid iron core. (which can now be sold as 'Heavy metal insize' rather than the 'shread' that it is now.