Aluminum transformers are they worth cleaning?

**Horsepower126** · 07-11-2021, 05:04 PM

I have used a torch in the past to clean copper transformers. I want to know if the aluminum transformers still worth cleaning. I know the only real way to know is to process one and weigh the metals. Between the bushling, iron, and Aluminum windings I believe you might break even or gain little profit. If you can turn a profit from it even though its small should you still invest your time into it. It´s really 20 minutes for torching and they catch on fire and you let it burn until all the paper is burnt off.

Has anyone ever done it and know how much aluminum they got from it?

**JJinLV** · 07-11-2021, 09:19 PM

If you have an efficient system where it only takes a minute or two then sure, the <20ish% recovery you get from Al transformers is probably worth it. Otherwise definitely not

**greytruck** · 07-12-2021, 11:01 AM

For me, Alum transformers stay in what ever they came in. Dont bother. its pretty much dirty aluminum anyways. to much tape, glue, and other junk stuck to it.

And wouldnt using a torch be quite expensive? gas aint cheep.

**jeb1212** · 07-13-2021, 01:53 PM

What size transformers are you talking about?

Around here aluminum wire microwave transformers are shred/light iron. If you remove the aluminum wire the iron cores are then #1 steel. Unless all paper and tape is removed the aluminum wire is dirty aluminum and not worth much more than shred. So not worth the effort to separate the aluminum wire.

Copper wire microwave transformers are well worth cutting out the copper for #2 copper.

**ScrapmanIndustries** · 08-13-2021, 10:04 AM

Ive ran a few hundred pounds of these things in my time. It needs to be done by someone but if your doing it by hand you better be doing it for fun, exercise, or science. You don’t gain anything financially unless your running a hammer mill designed for transformers or have labor rates of about 8 cents a day. Back when I was buying them a few years ago I would pay around 20 or 26-27 cents a pound or something if I remember right and I would knock the copper out of em. I’d average 33 cents a pound or something on the return. For the aluminum ones you were averaging maybe 2 cents higher than steel price on the return.