Oil-filled Capacitors

[Army Curtis]

First, I worked for electric utilities for over 30 years, and among other
things, managed the PCB program for my company. As I recall, the EPA PCB
regulations have a minimum amount before the regs kick in, and that minimum
was at least 5 gallons, if not 25 gallons. So, your oil filled capacitor is
almost certainly less than that, and not subject to the regulations. If you
want to throw it in the trash, you can. If you want to dispose of it like
the utilities do, it WILL cost you an arm and a leg. 

If the capacitor is still okay, why not continue to use it? Unless you plan
to cook food in the oil, it is NOT dangerous until it is burned. If you
absolutely want to do something with the oil, rub it into leather, like a
saddle. There is nothing better.

(I'll bet this generates some responses!) ;o)

73,

Army Curtis - AE5P
Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas

-----Original Message-----
From: Heathkit Owners and Collectors List [mailto:HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV]
On Behalf Of Fred Wittman
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 1:04 PM
To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
Subject: [HEATH-TEMPE] Oil-filled Capacitors

Off-topic but important questions:

I recently won a homebrew novice transmitter on ebay (for all of 99 
cents!), and when I checked the power supply, I found two old oil-filled 
HV caps.  One clearly states "pyranol" (read PCB's) and I assume the 
other is the same.  So here are my questions.

First, I've been calling disposal companies, the fire department, etc., 
looking for some way to dispose of these in compliance with EPA reg's 
without having to pay an outrageous fee.  Has anyone had any experience 
with this?  Secondly, it's against EPA reg's to "do commerce in items 
that carry PCB's."  How does this effect us glowbugs that periodically 
buy/sell radio gear produced before 1977?  Can we, in theory at least, 
be fined by the EPA?  Gawd, just when you thought it was safe to be a ham...

Ideas are appreciated.  Thanks guys.

Fred - KG6NYK

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