The Ford Barn

BUBBAS IGNITION · 09-25-2018, 01:57 PM

Dont see this very often and i figured Tubbman would enjoy these pictures . Highly used mallory condensor ........

flatheadmurre · 09-25-2018, 02:13 PM

Looks more like the type of stress cracking brass gets when exposed to ammonia then that the internals has blown up...

Ronnieroadster · 09-25-2018, 02:41 PM

I have seen that many times on old Mallory condensers the cause old age and over tightening.

tubman · 09-25-2018, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the pictures Bubba! Just about every used Mallory condenser I have seen lately has splits and cracks in them. I would worry if they got wet and froze. They were pretty rugged, though. That example you posted is probably over 50 years old. I agree with "murre" though; it looks more like disintegration rather than an explosion.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 09-25-2018, 07:47 PM

Actually guys sometime ago i purchased a nos box of these Mallorys and ever one had stress cracks. My theory is they stretched the brass a bit too much when making them. I would hate to say what i paid for the nos box full???

tubman · 09-25-2018, 08:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I know where you can get good replacements.

Charlie ny · 09-25-2018, 08:31 PM

In case you guys are not aware tubman is the source for vintage look modern made 'Mallory' big brass condensers!
Charlie ny

rotorwrench · 09-26-2018, 10:04 AM

Brass can be drawn pretty deep but it has to be just the right thickness and just the right state of anneal. It work hardens quickly. They may not have re-annealed the case after the draw or if they did, the anneal job wasn't enough to survive the crimp well.

As was already mentioned, chemicals and weathering corrosion can have a detrimental affect on brass. Polishing the brass can actually work harden it some.

I have seen smaller capacitors in radio sets pop like pop corn but I've not seen one as large as a condenser pop yet. I'm not implying that it can't happen, I've just never seen it yet.

russcc · 09-26-2018, 03:23 PM

Can the brass Mallory condensers be fixed if they have a crack in the shell, and then rebuilt ?

BUBBAS IGNITION · 09-26-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russcc

Can the brass Mallory condensers be fixed if they have a crack in the shell, and then rebuilt ?

MOST EVEN WITH CRACKS WILL PASS TESTING. I JUST PUT NAIL POLISH ON THEM AND USE THEM AGAIN......

Tinker · 09-26-2018, 09:56 PM

I had a Panasonic flat screen a couple yrs back. All the power supply screen condensers were under rated. 3 total. One would pop a top and the tv would take a minute to power up. Then the next one. 10 min. Guess they saved a .001 cent a tv with the under powered condensers. Brother-in-law soldered in a few larger condensers for just over 2 dollars. Works great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUDqYqjLtvI

Now they have a decent reduction dc voltage cord. Well so far.

09-25-2018, 02:13 PM	#2
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? Looks more like the type of stress cracking brass gets when exposed to ammonia then that the internals has blown up...

09-25-2018, 02:41 PM	#3
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? I have seen that many times on old Mallory condensers the cause old age and over tightening. __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

09-25-2018, 04:51 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? Thanks for the pictures Bubba! Just about every used Mallory condenser I have seen lately has splits and cracks in them. I would worry if they got wet and froze. They were pretty rugged, though. That example you posted is probably over 50 years old. I agree with "murre" though; it looks more like disintegration rather than an explosion.

09-25-2018, 07:47 PM	#5
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? Actually guys sometime ago i purchased a nos box of these Mallorys and ever one had stress cracks. My theory is they stretched the brass a bit too much when making them. I would hate to say what i paid for the nos box full??? __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

09-25-2018, 08:13 PM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I know where you can get good replacements.

09-25-2018, 08:31 PM	#7
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? In case you guys are not aware tubman is the source for vintage look modern made 'Mallory' big brass condensers! Charlie ny

09-26-2018, 10:04 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? Brass can be drawn pretty deep but it has to be just the right thickness and just the right state of anneal. It work hardens quickly. They may not have re-annealed the case after the draw or if they did, the anneal job wasn't enough to survive the crimp well. As was already mentioned, chemicals and weathering corrosion can have a detrimental affect on brass. Polishing the brass can actually work harden it some. I have seen smaller capacitors in radio sets pop like pop corn but I've not seen one as large as a condenser pop yet. I'm not implying that it can't happen, I've just never seen it yet. Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-26-2018 at 10:15 AM.

09-26-2018, 03:23 PM	#9
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? Can the brass Mallory condensers be fixed if they have a crack in the shell, and then rebuilt ?

09-26-2018, 09:56 PM	#11
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Mallory condensor blow up?? I had a Panasonic flat screen a couple yrs back. All the power supply screen condensers were under rated. 3 total. One would pop a top and the tv would take a minute to power up. Then the next one. 10 min. Guess they saved a .001 cent a tv with the under powered condensers. Brother-in-law soldered in a few larger condensers for just over 2 dollars. Works great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUDqYqjLtvI Now they have a decent reduction dc voltage cord. Well so far. Last edited by Tinker; 09-26-2018 at 10:04 PM.