A friend has 24 transformers that experienced the hurricane in Florida. The bottoms got wet, but don't think they were flooded. How to test to see it they can be powered up safely. Some are AF others are used to light building and power accessories. Any help would be appreciated.
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Fresh water or salt water?
Fresh water
I would remove the cases if possible then set them out in the sun for several hours for a few days. Then plug them one at a time into a power strip and turn on the power with voltage set to zero and if all is well increase voltage. Check out operation with a voltmeter.
Charlie
Damp, drenched, or dunked?
If it was salt water I'd dunk them in fresh water for a bit.
I'd remove the covers and use a blow dryer, place near heating vents for a few days, etc. Airflow is needed for evaporation.
Oil steel, agitate rust, and re-oil, etc.,
But thats it....evaporation and tending to steel.
The effects of salt changes things, rinsing it clean a.s.a.p. would be very necessary.
I have run motherboards through dishwashers after spills, a transformer new or old, should be no big deal.
To be safe, once dry, power them from a gfi outlet and or a power strip with a breaker. Let them get good and warm for a long time to further expell any trapped moisture.
Charlie, thanks, I'm guessing if a transformer is shorted inside, it will kick out the power strip without causing a big problem.
Ron
Adriatic, thanks for your help too.
Ron
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