Anyone have any info? tips? what parts are good for what? What about the magnetron?
I keep everything but the case and the door.Everything ells is usable eventually. I may never have a use for the magnetron but Im keeping them any way. All the magnets removed from it. Nice big fatty transformer and cap huh? When I get enough of them I want to start building one of those fuel less motors which to me is the same thing as a Bendinni motor just bigger. Make sure you disscharge the cap many times in case it has some stored power in it.
I have an old sunbeam microwave down stairs thats not going to be used this is why I ask. How would i discharge the capacitor? Yes i mentioned the magnetron because i read somewhere that it has a rather powerful perm magnet on it. I'm guessing the transformer will not store any charge?
Be very careful with that cap, it cap hold a very high voltage, there can be enough energy in it to put you 6 feet under, the first thing you need to do when you take the lid off , having of course unplugged from the mains, is use a crock lead , connect one crock to the earth point where the mains earth is inside(or a bare metal chassis part inside), clicp the other crock onto an insulated screwdriver or probe, hold the insulation of the screwdriver or probe and then push it right into each side of the cap and hold for a second or so, do both sides f the cap, and just to be double sure, check everything and re do, using insulated pliers pull the clipped leads of both connections of the cap, and re earth both connections of the cap and then short together both terminals.
I cannot stress how important it is to make sure they have been fully shorted to ground - your life could depend on it.
If you want a nice big round magnet, unscrew the magnetron from it's mounting points and dissassemble it, a bit of brute force will yield a nice magnet.
You could take the transformer out, but bear in mind this thing generates high voltage if ever connected to the mains.
Be save and good hunting, another thing to watch for are the edges of the caseing they enjoy slicing fingers.
Peter
Quote from: Dr.Greenthumb on April 30, 2008, 03:50:05 PM
How would i discharge the capacitor?
You need to be really really careful with the capacitor, or you could be seriously injured or die. Sorry if this is info you already know, but I thought I would tell you just in case.
You can discharge the capacitor by shorting it out, but that is a little dangerous. A better way is to connect the terminals to a resistor, maybe 10,000 to 20,000 ohm, and let it discharge that way.
I don't use a microwave oven myself, but the following have some pictures... :)
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-remove-the-bleeder-resistor-in-microwave-ca/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Microwave-Transformer-Homemade-Welder/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-110-volt-arc-welder-NYDG/
@ Dr GT
I stripped an old microwave last year and decided to look into the safety aspects first. It is not just the Cap you need to worry about. Have a read of the Health hazards on the wiki page 2/3 down
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetron)
QuoteSome magnetrons have ceramic insulators with a bit of beryllium oxide (beryllia) added?these ceramics often appear somewhat pink or purple-colored (see the photos above). Note that beryllium oxide is white, so relying on the color to identify its presence would be unwise. The beryllium in this ceramic is a serious chemical hazard if crushed and inhaled, or otherwise ingested. Single or chronic exposure can lead to berylliosis, an incurable lung condition. In addition, beryllia is listed as a confirmed human carcinogen by the IARC; therefore, broken ceramic insulators or magnetrons should not be directly handled
The cap will kill you quick but lung cancer is a patient beast
Take care removing those magnets
There are lots of good parts in microwaves, definitely work taking apart. Just watch for the high voltage -- it's lethal.
-Feynman
@Dr GT
I use insulated screwdriver to discharge the caps. Just as a heads up, they will make a spark and a loud pop if they've got a charge in em.
Thanks for the info. Ive been shocked by a smaller cap that was in a home audio amp when i was like 9(trying to figure out what was wrong with it). I touched it and next thing you know im 5 feet back on my ass and seeing black and white! Of coarse i came to after about 5 seconds.
My favorite 2 things from microwave ovens are the Transformer and the diode.
The diode in some of them is a 15kv 1amp diode.
The transformer comes in handy for many things.
Try grinding the weld off on it and then take it apart.
Take 2 transformers apart and mount the thick wire coils on one core.
This will give you a really great isolation transformer.
Has anyone seen plans on how to use these transformers to make a MEG?
I have not tried the standard MEG design. Just back emf stuff more along the lines of Bedinni.
It is very disapointing how few parts are in a microwave.Im still wondering where the shielding is
I was under the impression there was some form of lead someplace but the new units are so
light compared to the ones from the early 70's. The control panel cc is the only complex part with
it's display. It looks a bit generic.
I only intend to run the transformer backwards as a step down transformer for a while before i strip off the
windings and re-wrap it. The cap is going to be used in a telsa style bi-filler air coil to aid in it's capacity to cancel self induction. I spent a lot of time building that cone shaped coil it's time to see what it can do.
If it has any merit or possitive effect,then the idea is to move the effect into a automobile alternator to cancel magnetic drag while it is producing current. Then perhaps the snake can eat his own tail.