PMs in appliances

[resabed01]

Took me about 30 min to pull the switches from 2 stoves and 2 dryers. I didn't even take them all because there were door and temperature switches I left behind. Filled up a small plastic shopping bag with them. Where I go, people drop off old appliances all day long. Lots of guys frequent the place to harvest the copper and aluminum but the switches are always overlooked..... :wink:
Of course it took much longer than 30 min to crack open all those switches and extract the contacts.

 

[Claudie]

I've been getting all of those I can find. Many switches have contacts that contain Silver. Another item people will often overlook is a relay, most of them will have Silver also.

 

[TXWolfie]

what exactly do you mean by the switches, the ones under the knobs for example?

 

[Claudie]

The switches under the knobs, the door switch, the relays, most all of the switches in appliances have some Silver in the contacts. Some other items people often overlook are contact points from small engines and some air conditioning units. The breakers from electrical boxes are a type of switch and also contain Silver. If it's a switch, tear it apart and have a look, it may surprise you how much Silver gets thrown in the trash daily. :|

 

[TXWolfie]

geez if I have only known but I do now thanx Claudie now to go outside and tear apart some items tomorrow.

 

[Claudie]

Search the forum for "Silver Contacts" and read about them BEFORE you try to refine them. Some of them contain cadmium, which can be pretty dangerous to work with. Educate yourself on these now and save yourself a headache later. Many people sell them, just as they are, on E-Bay and make a pretty good profit.

 

[TXWolfie]

:wink: