[BC] Irons for silver soldering copper strap

[Mike McCarthy]

The problem with that is you don't know there is a defective joint after a 
fault condition (using anything but silvaloy).  Then you're really in a bad 
position for next time with a potentially cold joint.  The joint will never 
have the same low resistance of the original joined connection until the 
solder is reflowed.  How may times do you check the joints after a major 
local strike?

I always fold one strap over the other in a T or angled connection, then 
tighten and flow the fold.  But that's very hard to do with an in-line 
splice.  So I'll try to bond both sides and "V" up the ends a little so I 
can flow some solder down the side.  I'll also punch some 1/4" holes in the 
strap to flow solder in the center of the strap.

MM

At 06:59 AM 10/16/2007 -0500, Gary Glaenzer wrote

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mike McCarthy" <Towers at mre.com>
>To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:44 AM
>Subject: Re: [BC] Irons for silver soldering copper strap
>
>
> > Depending on the size strap and application, I try to silver solder
> > everything.  In the event of a lightning strike, the current flow will
> > instantly flow the non-silver solder and the joint will break.
>
>tin the mating surfaces, apply flux, then create a mechanically 
>interlocked joint, heat it
>till solder flows
>
>that way, even if a strike gets it hot enough to melt, it will stay 
>together till it
>re-hardens
>
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