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Anybody have any experience with scrapping out large VFD's(variable frequency drives)? I've been given permission to take four large VFD's from the job I'm working, otherwise they go in the dumpster. They weigh about 150 pounds each, but will have to be carried down six flights of stairs. I'm trying to weigh out my risk/effort vs. reward. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Dave.
I'm not an expert but from what I can gather they have nice boards and small transformers. Couldn't give you a value though.
Lots of small transformers, lots of boards. I guess my question is about the quality of the boards.
Pictures would help. I'm sure some of the buyers here would like to offer their opinion.
Yeah pics would be awesome, Ive never even heard of those things! lol
Do Not dismantle them until you post pictures. I know a number of woodworkers that would pay double your scrap value for workable VFD's.
I will check back in the morning.
I guess I should have specified,the building owner demands they be "inoperable" if I'm to take them. If I could take them in working condition I wouldn't even be considering scrap value as they are worth a lot,lot,lot more in working order.
In that case let the owner carry them down six flights of stairs then collect them from the dumpster when he is done. It's got to be working equipment and you provide the labor to move them for free, or scrap value and you take your chances coming across them later on.
I'm with Wayne. If he's imposing conditions like that let HIM get them down the stairs to the dumpster. Once they're discarded, they're fair game.
What is his reason for wanting them inoperable?
What is his reason for wanting them inoperable?
I guess that allows them to take them out of their mechanical equipment inventory without dealing with their internal red tape.
I took apart a smaller one (about 40 pounds) and got 11 pounds of copper, it was all plated and went as #2 but it was free and took 10 minutes to tear down.
toss em out the window! Dismantling will be a snap ; )
Bear beat me to it lol. If that is an option
They won't be worth a heck of a lot unless you can get them out in working order--maybe they go outside in pieces (it isn't in working order when it is taken apart...) and magically are reassembled when they get back to your shop....?
The heavy semiconductors in them have some copper heat blocks that bolt to the heat sinks. They're a pain to smash open and scrape clean but it can be done. You might be able to sell the parts of the VFD's on eBay as repair parts. This works the best if they are brand name, popular drives like Allen-Bradley.
Hope this helps,
Jon.
I pulled a gold plated both sides, ceramic board from a variable drive unit & have had a pic here in SMF.
Similar to this > http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8057/p1010139e.jpg
Its from one of these > http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j0...ed-Control.jpg
I'm not sure if this is it or something else, because I think the part I found was bigger. Playing card size or a little smaller, but exactly the same to look at.
My cameras a dud, karma....
Weirdly, I found 2 of the boards a while ago with some other escrap. Like someone was reading my mind...
I have them at home & will get better pics. The pics I had in another post are not there now, dunno why or what I did.
The relay inside it had little gold bars on it too.