This might be a stupid question.......

**jk19** · 04-25-2011, 07:54 PM

Im very new to scrapping and im messing around with a old stero I have. On the inside of the stero is this heavy box. Its about 3x3 and looks like it has a copper band around what apears to be a circular type thing that sticks out of both the top and the bottom. Does anyone know what it is? Is it safe to be messing around with it? What do I do with it? Im sorry if this question is terrible but like I said Im new to scrapping. Today is my first day actually. Thank you.

**jk19** · 04-25-2011, 09:40 PM

transformer??

**parrothead** · 04-25-2011, 11:31 PM

Probably. A picture is worth a thousand words in this case. If it is a transformer, you can spend the time to pull the copper, or toss it in a bucket until the bucket is full with other like items for 20 some cents a pound.

**TheMetalizer** · 04-25-2011, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by jk19

Im very new to scrapping and im messing around with a old stero I have. On the inside of the stero is this heavy box. Its about 3x3 and looks like it has a copper band around what apears to be a circular type thing that sticks out of both the top and the bottom. Does anyone know what it is? Is it safe to be messing around with it? What do I do with it? Im sorry if this question is terrible but like I said Im new to scrapping. Today is my first day actually. Thank you.

It sounds like you have a transformer. It is either that or some type of large inductor. I once found a giant toroidal inductor inside of one of those old stereos, and it weighed a bit more then a big microwave transformer.

You may want to break it apart to get the copper out, you may not. It all depends on what your yard pays for both. If you try to pull the copper out, you will see it can make for slow work at first.