j-c-c-62
Well-Known Member
So I had bought this 3 phase 120/208V 30kva transformer/distribution set-up lightly used a couple of decades back for $150?
It was a great deal but didn't have a real need for it. It cost new over $5K, I paid $150? for it, Over the years I only used it maybe 3 times, earned me over $1K.
I placed it on Ebay early this year with some upgrades for $1200. I lowered the price monthly. It had gotten to $200 for last couple of months and I added a blurb stating if it didn't by end of October, off to the scrap yard.
Never got a single inquiry nor a bid.
So, I stripped out the 125A 3 phase main breaker, 13 400A camlock male/female panel mount connectors, 10 Hubbell 4 & 5 wire 30A twist lock panel receptacles (nearly new), 30 GE 30A single pole breakers and 3 1000:1 current transformers. Listed all separately on Ebay. At asking price of only pennies on the dollar, the above could return with the initial listing, $650. The wiring was all scrapped initial and got $1.50/lb for insulated copper, or $18. The sold copper bus bars got $2.0/lb or $21.
The transformer disassembly was my first, took almost two days, that requires a few tricks and finesse. 500 layers of pieces of .010 silicon sheet steel to make up the transformer core. 6 pieces to a layer, the steel rack and the core weighed 440lbs. Recovered 64lbs of copper, $4/lb, second scrap yard offered $1.20/lb. third yard paid $4lb.
My Dad from the depression era would not be happy.
I am not complaining, yet.
It was a great deal but didn't have a real need for it. It cost new over $5K, I paid $150? for it, Over the years I only used it maybe 3 times, earned me over $1K.
I placed it on Ebay early this year with some upgrades for $1200. I lowered the price monthly. It had gotten to $200 for last couple of months and I added a blurb stating if it didn't by end of October, off to the scrap yard.
Never got a single inquiry nor a bid.
So, I stripped out the 125A 3 phase main breaker, 13 400A camlock male/female panel mount connectors, 10 Hubbell 4 & 5 wire 30A twist lock panel receptacles (nearly new), 30 GE 30A single pole breakers and 3 1000:1 current transformers. Listed all separately on Ebay. At asking price of only pennies on the dollar, the above could return with the initial listing, $650. The wiring was all scrapped initial and got $1.50/lb for insulated copper, or $18. The sold copper bus bars got $2.0/lb or $21.
The transformer disassembly was my first, took almost two days, that requires a few tricks and finesse. 500 layers of pieces of .010 silicon sheet steel to make up the transformer core. 6 pieces to a layer, the steel rack and the core weighed 440lbs. Recovered 64lbs of copper, $4/lb, second scrap yard offered $1.20/lb. third yard paid $4lb.
My Dad from the depression era would not be happy.
I am not complaining, yet.
