Potting Wax?

[TonyTecson]

for #30 and smaller wire, i can just wrap it on pigtails and solder away...
for wire sizes bigger than that, i need to scrape before i can solder....

 

[TURING]

I have about 20 of these transformers I got a deal on from a surplus center that I have been using for preamps. The issue is that they tend to be on the buzzy side if I do not modify them a bit with something to damp the resonance in the top bell. (Through hole design). I am using maybe 1/15th the current capability, so they tune all day long at just over room temp.

I was using hot glue to fill the top bell and then pressing them together, but: A) hard to measure if I have enough or to small of an amount. B) it does not really seep into the windings the way something more fluid would.

So, I went to the grocery store and bought some paraffin wax. I always make a high density foam gasket when I put the top bells on for additional damping, so they are sealed for the most part. I flipped the transformer over to the bottom and cut away the bottom paper exposing the leads and used a heat gun to melt and drip the wax into the transformer. Voila! Much quieter than hot glue, but at a lower melting point. I'm not worried about the operation heat, but down south here, a garage can get almost as hot as the melting point of the wax.

After my drawn out explanation of what I need it for what does Cary use to pot their transformers which run significantly hotter than the ones I use? I found some microcrystalline waxes that melt at a hotter temp, but the Cary wax looks more like a bees wax with something added maybe?

Thanks for any assistance!

Blair

Rosin little (not more than 1/3) may be harder the wax and improve its melting point. If you use rosin, please grasp ratio.

 

[bear]

M. Gregg, be cautious about using that clear resin potting material for electronics like transformers, it is a pretty nifty insulator, and will make stuff run hot imo.