Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Hello everyone,
First time posting on here but I'm keen to start a project
I've been looking into getting a mercury arc rectifier as I have recently bought a house and have some room!

I have been looking for a few years now, looking inside old cinemas, eBay, ringing around old factories that are closing or in the right era and they all seemed to have dissappear, smashed or have no idea what I'm talking about..


Does anyone know or have a mercury arc recifier bulb/vacuum for sale or can point me in the direction?

I know it's not the average project for a 20 year old but I'm determined! Haha:P
Thanks
Stephanie

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Mercury arc rectifiers are full of - surprise surprise - mercury. This means they are classed as toxic waste, so it's highly unlikely that you'll be able to scrounge one from a demolition site.

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Welcome to the forum, Stephanie!! This is an unusual first post, for sure, but why not? What are you hoping to do with this beast?

The chances of your 'finding' one like that are virtually nil, as they are huge and require rather mindful disposal, for the reasons Paul has pointed out. We have a forum specialist on the subject, Lucien Nunes, who can tell you all that's worth knowing about them. He has or had a collection of them and started a museum featuring them, if I recall correctly...

so over to Lucien, I imagine! Oh, it's down to the Mods, but if you really want to buy one or attract responses related to sourcing one, it might be better to post this in 'set and parts wanted?'

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Mercury is heavily restricted. You can get in serious trouble just procuring it or handling it.

Disposal is expensive as well. You can't just take it down the council tip when you're bored of it or have blown it up. If you spill it in your property, think £10k+ for cleanup.

Edit: just to add, I know about this unfortunately because when I was cleaning out my grandfather's house we found a 500g container of it that had leaked. They had to rip out the storage, the floor and dig a 20 foot pit under it, then fill it and dispose of the waste

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

There's a guy called xc9578 based in Derby selling a numbers of mercury arc rectifiers from about £16 upwards on Ebay UK at the moment.

HTH

Frank

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Just to clarify, do you want a working rectifier, or is it just for a static display?

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Welcome to the bulb fanciers' club. As mentioned, they are not for everyone, but given proper handling and precautions they are pretty safe as mercury-laden relics go, being completely sealed. They make excellent pets, do not eat much or damage your furniture, and exercise is entirely optional but great fun. They need a home where there is a well-enough controlled environment to ensure their safety and that of people around them.

I have had some success recovering bulbs from industrial sites but it requires a certain amount of formality and planning. Risk assessments, method statements, insurance, spill remediation equipment etc all need to be provided and personnel involved need to be suitably instructed and competent. There can be complications with the paper trail once the plant has been declared scrap, if you want to turn it back into an asset so that you can buy it and the duty of care that comes with it. If you want to know more about this aspect, then please get in touch via PM.

You have to decide whether you just want the bulb, or the complete set of gear that goes with it. Often this is big and heavy and you may have to pay its scrap value. Certain small types of installation, such as projection unit-rectifiers, are manageable complete with their gear. Otherwise, you will need to rig up some power circuitry to make the bulb function on a reasonable amount of juice, and build your own protective housing for the bulb.

If you happen to need tens or hundreds of amps of DC at 50-500V, then that is just a bonus and you can't really go wrong!

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

I have pounds of mercury, all I wanted was a bit but was told 'take the lot or none' I guess it saved the company lots of money not having it disposed of.

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Thanks for your replies and welcomes :)
I realise this is going to be a tough project, 4 years down the line and I still have not a single part.
My plan is to get hold of a decent vacuum as this seems to be the hardest piece to find in tact plus I love the shape and idea of them, it's really fascinating reading about them. I know mercury is dangerous but it's a risk I'm. Willing to take and if something happens it happen and I'll figure something out.

It's so difficult, I was bidding on one of his MAR's the other day actually, I got out bid by around £10 off the £220 price i think it was heart broken ruined my day off!
However I shall not quit!

I'll put a request on the wanted part of the threat too :)
In the mean time does anyone know of any suppliers/books of parts so I can start collecting bits and pieces.


Also i seeing as this is my first post If anyone needs any help re-creating any logos I'm a graphic designer so If you have an old sticker you need a replacement for I can recreate and also I'm employed by a printing company so I might come in handy to someone :D

P.'s I'm very passionate about getting a mercury arc rectifier working, I wont get bored half way through - I'm dedictated when it comes to projects :)

Thanks
Steph

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Steph1197, in addition to what people above have said (which all seems sensible thus far)
in addition to the issue of actually getting a rectifier, the weight of the mercury is a problem when it is moved (expecially if it is a large one.) the 'slosh' factor can easily break one of the limbs off if you're not very careful.

A very pragmatic- and slightly crazy- prof of such things is Photonic Induction (alias Andy Moir) who posts regularly on youtube. He is worth a look as he knows a great deal about H&S and risk assessment aspects of electricity and toxins..And he is a comedian as well.

A MAR cannot be guaranteed to be perfectly sealed so there are precautions to be taken regards ventilation to mitigate ingestion of fumes that MIGHT be accumulating. These rectifiers are however part of history and the more that are preserved and operated in a safe way, the better. I hope you are the one to do it! Metallic mercury is toxic, but the real bad boys are it's inorganic and organic compounds- you need to research them- they are unbelievably dangerous.

Footnote- if you ever have to have dental fillings use an alternative to mercury amalgam- new evidence has emerged that it gently and slowly migrates out of the filling and into the body- which might explain why i am not as happy as i should be..

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Another footnote- anything advertised on the web (or anywhere else) as steampunk, industrial chic, or retro, is almost certainly going to be of no practical use to you!

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

I'm willing to break before the rectifier!
Haha jokes aside, I have been reading about transportation which is obviously risky with it being glass and rhe mercury being heavy.

Thankfully at the age of 20 I'm filling/cavity free! Woooo

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Thanks :P I'll be sure to double check

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Welcome to the forum, Stephanie!!
I must say, most people, when they buy a house seem to want curtains,carpets and sofa's- A MAR seems a much better house warming present to me ;D
Just out of interest, do you have previous 'form' as a youngster; ie was your bedroom full of odd bits of salvaged electrical/ electronic gear? I think most of us on here would have to admit to similar tendencies when we were kids!
Good luck with the project- I am sure we are all interested in the progress
Cheers
Nick

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Good luck to you with your project Steph. Always been fascinated by these things. They look like something from Frankensteins lab.

I remember seeing one at the tramway museum at Crich, must be 22 years ago now. I don't think it was in use but was still in situ. Long time ago mind. Crich is sort of your neck of the woods isn't it? Maybe they still have it?

Carl.

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Don't these produce unhealthy amounts of UV light when working? Something to be aware of, perhaps.

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Haha you would think so! I have no rugs as even my coffee table is a cable reel!

My dad used to be an technician so I was always helping him take computers apart, we weren't the most well off family though so once I had a job I could buy my own trinkets and now I have a strange mixes collection of all sorts! I'll keep you all updated :D

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

I believe it's still there, Butterly Railway has a few, two working and some spares! I may have to bribe someone ;D

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Stephanie - was your intent to electrically operate the rectifier, and if so was that just to achieve the aesthetically pleasing visuals?

Re: Mercury Arc Rectifier? Where to start
 

Great to know it is still there. Must have been 94 or 95 when I saw it there. Time flies! Good look with your project and don't listen to those who say it can't/shouldn't be done.

Carl.