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UPS transformer breakdown

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  1. #1
    kuller00 started this thread.
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    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:


    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:


    Heres load of metal:


    And this is the goodie part. One layer was rectangular shape wire, others round.



    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

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  3. #2
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    How long did the break down take you?

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

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    kuller00 started this thread.
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    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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    kuller00 started this thread.
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    I repeat again, time is irrelevant. Its not wasted, its 1+kg copper in my bucket.

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    BRASSCATCHER's Avatar
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    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.
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    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

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    Quote Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER View Post
    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.
    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.

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    Quote Originally Posted by kuller00 View Post
    I repeat again, time is irrelevant. Its not wasted, its 1+kg copper in my bucket.
    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

  11. #9
    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kuller00 View Post
    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.
    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.
    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
    http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/day-l...nsformers.html
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    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.

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