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Re: Leaky capacitor woes.


From: 	David Huffman[SMTP:huffman-at-FNAL.GOV]
Sent: 	Monday, November 24, 1997 9:52 AM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: Leaky capacitor woes.

I would think you could tell where the leak is by wiping the outside off and
then checking some time later. I have a container that leaked and found it
by wiping my finger along the seams. If it is weeping out you should be able
to see oil all over. Maybe place the unit on newspaper to see were it
initially starts.
Dave Huffman
-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: 'Tesla List' <tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
Date: Friday, November 21, 1997 8:25 PM
Subject: Leaky capacitor woes.


>
>From: Adam[SMTP:absmith-at-tiac-dot-net]
>Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 11:03 PM
>To: tesla list
>Subject: Leaky capacitor woes.
>
>
>I have built a flat plate cap, which at first seemed great, but now
>demonstrates a great oil leakage problem.  The cap is made from LDPE and
>Aluminum plates, and it is housed in a rubbermaid polypropylene storage
>box.  I "sealed" the box by hot-gluing a plexiglass panel over the top.
>
>This cap leaks oil something fierce.  The problem is I cannot figure out
>exactly how the oil is getting out.  I have a clean dry cap, and then I
>come back 4 hours later and it is sitting in a pool of oil.  The oil is
>Exxon Univolt N61.  I have already checked for leaks, and have found that
>the hot glue does not adhere at all with the plexiglas, allowing oil to
>flow freely out through the junction if I tip the container so that the
>oil is in direct contact with this seam.  However, there is normally 1"
>of air space above the top of the oil and below the seam.  So, I have two
>theories:
>
>1.  The oil is evaporating and condensing on the plexiglas (observed) and
>must then be "rolling" along the plexiglas surface to the hot glue seam,
>where it freely leaks out thanks to capillary action.
>
>2.  The oil is passing through the polypropylene container itself.
>
>Evidence suggests theory #1, but I have not ruled out the second theory,
>as the capacitor seems to be oily all over.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>-Adam
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Adam Smith
>absmith-at-tiac-dot-net
>Epoch, Inc. Digital Music Project
>
>www.tiac-dot-net/users/absmith/                 MP3 Demo Tracks Now Available!
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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