Left-field question about oil-cooled welders

[Browser]

Just because I'm on an HV switching safety course at the mo and have seen some gruesome pics of fatalities connected with oil-insulated Ring Main Units today got me to think, how often d'you have to change the oil in an oil-filled welding set and do people do it? There must be a fair few Oxford/similar sets about, just wondered whether they got their oil changed or were just left to go about their business. As I said at the top, idle curiosity nothing more (I don't lie awake at night thinking about this stuff, honest!), but wouldn't want to see any fellow forummers hurt by one of these sets if water got in amongst the oil

 

[Wallace]

The Dymo label on my Fathers Oxford says he changed the oil in 1985, doubt it has burnt more than a dozen rods since then though!

 

[brightspark]

mines 40 years old and the oils as clean as the day it was put in i checked last year .the reason oil is checked and changed in high voltage transformers is carbon deposits contamination . at 11 k and above u could get a flash over and blow them up not much chance of that at 415 or 240v

 

[Tigman]

my Quasi arc has sat there for 50 years, been rewired to new consumer unit but never opened to check the oil ! I only use it once a month if that !

 

[Rig Pig]

Not a clue when my Oxfords oil was last changed, probably never, I guess it's a 60s machine.

 

[Kent]

I have never even known one done and I recon most live in Barns

 

[steve t]

Never done mine either, what type of oil should be in there

 

[Rig Pig]

Shell Diala B is the oil recommended on the data plate.

 

[fixerupper]

Does the oil in a oil cooled welder contain PCBs ?....jeff...

 

[Rig Pig]

The MSDS for Diala shows no PCBs, however if it's ever been topped up with something else over the last 45 or so years who knows?

 

[Spark plug]

As has been said there's little chance of any probloems due to oil degridation in a low voltage welding transformer.

 

[Pete.]

I have a tin of bushing oil to top mine up. Haven't had to though.

 

[winchman]

I was given my oxford as a Non Runner, took the lid off oil was like new, screwed one of the lugs back together and Hey Presto it works!

 

[Spark plug]

To be honest I do very little stick welding these days but I wouldn't part with my old Oxford because I know that if I ever run out of gas for the mig on a Sunday afternoon I can drag the old Oxford out from under the bench and with out a shadow of dout it's going to get me out poo.

 

[Maker]

Does the oil in a oil cooled welder contain PCBs ?....jeff...

Most likely, I don't think there was an alternative when they were made.

 

[fixerupper]

Yeah this from Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer_oil#Polychlorinated_biphenyls_.28PCBs.29
PCBs very nasty stuff...jeff...

 

[Rig Pig]

The MSDS is attached if you want to read it

 

[anjum]

If you filled with chip fat.......useful snack maker??