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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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28th Nov 2016, 8:14 pm | #41 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 1,880
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Yes, it must be fate!
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28th Nov 2016, 8:52 pm | #42 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK.
Posts: 7,078
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
I'd honestly have thought that a small cinema rectifier set would be the best hope, capable of supplying 50A at 40V or so for the arc lamps. Still haven't any idea where to pick one from, but maybe a cinema projectionists forum might yield a result.
Couple of names spring to mind - Les Castree, and Jack Roe. Which a google search may find. Bearing in mind that MAR's contain a sizeable amount of mercury, I can imagine a lot of decommissioned rectifier bulbs being opened to recover the metal. It's not exactly cheap stuff! |
28th Nov 2016, 8:57 pm | #43 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK.
Posts: 7,078
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Ooh! Just seen the listing. Suggest make contact quick with the seller, in case ebay pull it. I think they have rules about mercury-containing items! If they do, you'd want to stay in touch!
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28th Nov 2016, 9:29 pm | #44 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,106
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Coincidences will always happen, the laws of chance dictate it, but......Hmm!
I hope this goes to the right person- ie S1997. |
28th Nov 2016, 9:32 pm | #45 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
There was a time when bulbs were routinely smashed to obtain mercury, however the world demand for it is reducing, due to such measures as the RoHS directive and the ever smaller amounts used per fluorescent tube. The percentage recovered from industrial uses has improved and is providing a greater fraction of demand, so prices have fallen. Given the tighter supervision of hazardous substances in the workplace, it is unlikely that many bulbs now get broken for mercury. An industrial site that has unwanted bulbs now has to pay to have them removed and reprocessed, in order to provide the paper-trail. Unless of course they realise that bulbs are not necessarily hazardous waste, but pieces of equipment that still have a use and can be sold as a going concern, albeit for rather modest sums.
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28th Nov 2016, 9:43 pm | #46 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK.
Posts: 7,078
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
It's a single phase jobbie too, easier to get up and running than a 3-phase! And easier to turn back upright too, so the mercury runs in the wide gaps between the electrodes and not into the arms!
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28th Nov 2016, 9:50 pm | #47 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
I think we should not discuss items that are the subject of live auctions. In the general case I would say that a Hewittic 100/2 single-phase full-wave 100A bulb with straight arms would probably have been used in a unit-type cinema rectifier (serving one projector) or battery charger.
We have the Nevelin equivalent in the dining room. Her name is Katie and if you are very nice and I get a few minutes I will make a short video showing her alight and how her control gear works etc. |
28th Nov 2016, 10:06 pm | #48 | |
Triode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Derby, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Quote:
I have messaged someone about one similar! I think if everthing all goes well I'll be collecting one tomorrow evening! I'll keep you all updated Regards, Steph |
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29th Nov 2016, 12:14 am | #49 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,535
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
You might need a lot of desire to win it, though.
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29th Nov 2016, 12:23 am | #50 |
Pentode
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Hove, East Sussex.
Posts: 147
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Good luck, these devices have long fascinated me.
Where to start; I would say very carefully..... |
29th Nov 2016, 9:12 am | #51 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Belper Derbyshire
Posts: 1,935
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Good morning,
Just my 2 penneth worth but as it is loose in a box I personally would make a cabinet type enclosure to fit the MAR as soon as possible to protect any accidental damage to the arms if it were to get knocked (i.e. vacuum cleaner, clumsy cat ECT.). Also to have it the correct way up so the mercury cannot slosh around too much!! Good luck Christopher Capener
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Interests in the collection and restoration of Tefifon players and 405 line television |
29th Nov 2016, 10:13 am | #52 |
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
It's fine for the mercury to slosh around the bulb, which is strong by virtue of its shape and has no projecting surfaces for the mercury to strike. What is risky is allowing any slosh into the arms, where the near-vacuum provides no cushioning against mercury hitting the anode or closed end. A solid plug of mercury entering the arm can easily break it as it strikes the end like a slide hammer. Hence, bulbs are normally handled and shipped upside down, and only righted during final installation. This can be an intricate process on large bulbs, as the mercury has to be decanted into and out of the arms by a 'screw' motion.
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29th Nov 2016, 10:16 am | #53 | |
Triode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Derby, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Quote:
We'll see, my hopes are up but the guys not messaged me back yet <\3 I'll keep you all updated! Thanks Steph |
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30th Nov 2016, 9:15 pm | #54 |
Triode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Derby, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
*****UPDATE*****
Everybody Look!!! My precious!!<3 Steph |
30th Nov 2016, 9:21 pm | #55 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK.
Posts: 5,208
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Well done!
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30th Nov 2016, 9:27 pm | #56 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 2,819
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Congratulations!
I always thought these things were bigger for some reason..? Regards, Lloyd. |
30th Nov 2016, 9:35 pm | #57 |
Triode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Derby, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
She's quite big bless her!
Regards Steph |
30th Nov 2016, 9:35 pm | #58 |
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
What a splendid thing. Now is the time to get a mercury mop up kit (I think it is just a load a sulphur powder). Having this to hand will mean you won't break your precious.
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30th Nov 2016, 9:37 pm | #59 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
I can see your huge beaming smile through the bulb.
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30th Nov 2016, 9:39 pm | #60 |
Triode
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Derby, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
Haha, I don't think I've stopped smiling!
I'm in love! |