computer power supplies? scrap value?

[donald236]

if you want to know more about this (PM) me and i'll explane it to you because i have done tons of these and i know what i'm talking about .

 

[Exibar]

Here's the breakdown from a typical PS unit (250w):

Total weight before stripping: 37. 4 ounces

Leftover junk (caps, circuitboard, etc)----------5.1oz.........$0.00
Aluminum -----------------extrusions----------2.1oz.............$0.12 .91/lb
insulated copper wire: ----CU insulated?-------5.1oz.......$0.35 1.10/lb
Transformers: -----------motors?---------------3.7oz..........$0.05 .22/lb
Coils and ferrite core: -------iron?--------------2.0 oz.........$0.01 .10/lb???
leftover steel: --------------scrap steel---------15.9oz.........$0.10 200.00/ton
FAN-------------------------------------------------2.6oz
AC plugs and switch ------------------------------0.6

grand total of a PS separated into components is.................$0.63
grand total of a PS NOT separated is.................................$0.58 .25/lb


prices came from here, and was a best guess effort fo rthe type of metal, trying to error on the lower side: http://www.recycleinme.com/scrap_prices/scrap_metal_prices.aspx

Anyone have any more accurate pricing for the comonents? It's looking like it's not worth the extra nickle per powersupply to me..... although I really had no idea how to classify the ferrite core/copper wire coils.... that would make a difference for sure....

thanks all!
Mike B

 

[Scott2357]

As for the ferrite cores, with the copper wire intact, they are classified as toroid or toroidal transformers.

 

[Exibar]

cool, thanks

What about the Transformers? the closest thing I saw was Motors, and I know that can't be right

 

[clwp]

couple whacks with a hammer and that ferrite core crumbles. Just pull each side of copper wires and it usually falls out with no effort. ferrite core can still be thrown in with scrap steel. same with the yellow wrapped transformers/motors just pound them and out comes copper. This job usually goes to my 12 yr old because he loves to destroy things.

 

[Rag and Bone]

Exibar, Nice work on your breakdown stats.

 

[tyoon21]

Looks like people are selling the ferrite cores on Ebay. Not sure how anyone would be able to classify the ones you salvage from powersupplies. Maybe worth a shot.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ferrite-Core-TDK-H5C2-10-pc_W0QQitemZ220240463068QQihZ012QQcategoryZ1502QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[tyoon21]

cool, thanks

What about the Transformers? the closest thing I saw was Motors, and I know that can't be right

The transformers sell as a separate catagory. Around here we get around $0.30 per pound.

Also, if you really want to get every ounce of scrap you can take apart the actual fan. When you separate the fan blade from the interior spindle you can find a small copper coil. Maybe this can go into the motor pile? I'll try to post a pic next time I tear into one.

 

[istari9]

I was taking apart the fans for a while, then tried to separate the copper strands. Way to much work for sure. If you can sell them as motors all the better. I do find the motors a bit easier to disassemble. Those I still do separating the copper from the steel and plastic.

Ray

 

[fixinator]

Our local scrap yards here in SW Michigan class coils and transformers as electric motor scrap and buy at the current price for motors. Currently that is about .25/pound.

Fix