Uses for Transformers

I have a pile of power supplies from computers. Has anyone attempted to reuse those in other applications? I'm thinking.......my bug zapper went south on me and I took it to an electrician who said the transformer is bad. The starter is okay and so are the light tubes.
Has anyone tried using those transformers for other devices? (I like to tinker in my old age and haven't blown myself up yet)

You have to look at the output voltage and whether it's ac or dc. I don't know what the bug zapper transformer output is, but the computer power supplies have 3.3, 5, and 12 volt DC outputs.

The only thing I've actually used one for is powering a computer fan just to use as a fan and running up hard drives with the covers off to play with. One thing you do have to do is jumper two of the wires in the motherboard plug to make the power supply work. I believe these two are connected to the ON/OFF switch/button on the computer. On a Dell, they are the last two, black and grey I think. On some others there is a green wire with black next to it not necessarily in the last position. Jumper these and it should come on.

I pulled a small bucketfull of the transformers from computer supplys apart yesterday.
They were the yellow taped ones that are placed inside the powersupply box, not bolted in, just placed thete and only connected by the two wires.
They were the average 60gms+ each.
The iron core inside them is 'stacked' laminations, not the interlaced sort.
Because of that I could break them in half using earmuffs (most important!) A hammer and cold chisel.
I just placed them on the bench vise and put the cold chisel across both windings on top of the copper wire and bashed them.
They break a bit, turned it over and did it again untill the ends seperate.
Then I just pulled each end apart and pulled out the wire and wound it into a ball.

I have another one to do, so I will get exact weights.
The laminations tended to stay together. When they do that, I put them into a fridge compressor case and tack weld it shut.
So I get heavy metal insize prices for it.

They've been taking up space in my old pickup for wayyyyyyyyy too long. Maybe cut off the wire and they're doomed for the scrap pile.
I'll keep the chicken feeder and the Dr. Pepper bottle.

Dr Pepper bottle.....now THERE is something with lots of uses. You can store various liquids in it including water like the one in my shop fridge now. You can write the contents down on it with a sharpie so you don't drink the last three ounces of 2 cycle oil.

I like to use them for markers in the peanut field. That yellow cap shines so you can see it from the sprayer when you get back from a refill. It always helps to fill it about a quarter full of sand to keep the wind from toppling it over.

Also, fill half full of water, put your sprayer tips or brass filters in and shake vigorously to clean them up nice.

Cut it in half and you have not only a sweet funnel, but a nice cup for holding virtually anything.

The neck and cap make an easy way to tie them on your electric fence gate so you can see when it's shut.

Bore a hole in the cap and use it as a sprinkle bottle.

Fill with water and use to water your wife's African violets so you don't get water on the leaves and kill them (again).

When you finally wear one out, there are low-cost replacements at many nearby stores for only $1.59 ea. Oh, and you can drink the original contents!!!

Retro on here gave me a 110v to 12v inverter he made from an old computer setup. Ask him how to do it; I'm sure he'll oblige.

He said the output was technically something like 11.58v (Close enough for government work), so it'd run a CB Radio, etc.

Just tossing an idea out there.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I usually sell mine to my local yard, they buy them for same price as motors and transformers. .20 a lb now. Without the wire.

Now why didn't I think of that. Of course.....they are copper wound motors. That would be .15 at my yard.

Originally Posted by Pnutfarmer

Dr Pepper bottle.....now THERE is something with lots of uses.

Good ideas there, Pnut. I also might add that I once ran out of gas and then found a little gas in a popbottle, left the lid loose and turned it upside down in the carburetor. It dripped enough to get me the three miles to a gaspump. Might not work in a fuel injected vehicle today. The bad side, that Dr. Pepper is addicting. Been there / done that. Long live sweet tea; there's Tradewinds and Gold Peak and those bottles are MUCH stronger. I'm getting on the cooler kick myself and fill a few bottles with water to take along.

Cool gas trick. I'll file that one away for later use.

On scrapping the power supplies, the yard near me buys them as dirty aluminum because of the heatsinks in them. It's less than electric motor price, but better than steel.