Isn't transformer oil really nasty stuff to deal with, I thought you needed to wear a chemical mask or something when handling the stuff.

-BG06.

 

He claims it perfectly legal

ask him about EPA tier I and tier II emissions testing on Transformer oil and see how legal it is.

 

yea thats nasty stuff full of PCB's, I'd make sure you're upwind of the exhaust

 

They stopped using PCBs in the 70s actually but still i wouldn't use the stuff.

 

it actually still has pcb its just a lower amount next time im around a ug transformer ill read what the level is. But other than being bad for you to breath say if I had a o/r powerstroke 6.0 would the stuff hurt the engine any??

 

newer transformers should not have pcbs in them i work for a utility contractor in pa the most of the older transformers were drained out.the company would use it to lubricate gas mains.

 

are you sure I never really payed attention I work for Pike down here and for some reason I think they say less than 500ml pcb per some other unit I think the older stuff is pink in color the stuff im talking about is the new clear stuff. Have you heard of anyone running straight tx oil ???

 

I used to do heavy power work, mainly medium voltage switchgear and transformer testing. Our company did a lot of high voltage substation maintenance too, so we had thousands of gallons of the clear Univolt 60 and 61 oil lying around, and the guys ran it all the time in our 7.3s. It never caused any problems. Now, I don't know about the emissions, though. LOL

There are no PCBs in the modern oils. Now, the used stuff can have trace amounts in it from being in transformers than contained PCB bearing oil in the past.

Read the MSDS yourself:

MSDS - Detailed View

 

There are several types of Oil used in Transformers. Some of the newer ones use a silicone base oil others use minneral oil, and some uses mepthosal. Not sure about the spelling. But I would not use it for fuel even if diesel got to be 10.00 dollars a gallon. Who knows what you would be making in the exhaust!!!!

Jim

 

Yeah, the only one I would consider burning is the mineral oil based one like Univolt 60. The silicone ones are not very common. Most likely the oil he's referring to is mineral oil which really is less toxic than diesel fuel.

 

Just as long as he is sure of what oil he is using, would be my only concern. The PCB issue is very rare in my area the epa and other regulators have tried to remove most of the equipment that has them. But I'm sure there is some still out there. They are still finding bombs from WWII, so the PCB will be with us for sometime.

Jim

 

Ok I just hung two tx's today both say minerial oil and they read no pcb's but then under it says contains less than 1 ppm of pcb so I guess its not totally pcb free. Yes he is running the minerial oil based. Is there any lubrication in it I would think its better then running the ulsd, based on wear and tear.

 

I would stick to either Diesel fuel or vegi oil but that is just my opinion.

Jim

 

I would stick to either Diesel fuel or vegi oil but that is just my opinion.

Jim

:thumb::thumb:

 

i was on a pole when a transformer cracked i got covered they said it was same as cooking oil

Matt

 

It's not the same as cooking oil, but it's very closely related to food grade mineral oil. There are not any PCBs in any modern transformer oils. Where I worked, they were anal about Osha regs, and we used to stick our arms in oil filled circuit breakers up to our armpits, and I'm not dead yet. LOL There were never any safety warnings related to the oil.

 

yea the power guy came right away and tasted it


Matt

 

I hope you mean tested it man.

 

i wonder where a guy could find that stuff. i guess you would have to know someone in the power company management circle???

 

The thing i see is getting enough gallons of it to be worth it. Or is it easy to come by.:dunno:

 

Or is it easy to come by.:dunno:

I wouldn't think so, just use vegi oil, its plentyfull and the emmisions won't harm you or others...

 

I work at a hydro dam generation facility, we had lots of clean used transformer oil around and I ran it straight in a 1980 rabbit and a 1993 ford 7.3 and the contractor ran it in a 1999 ford and a 1983 chevy. We ran it straight in the summer and 50/50 in the winter. It was awesome. mileage was same and power was close, price was awesome. going to again in my 02 ford as soon as I can find a source