[BC] recommended fluxes for silver soldering ground system/radials?

[Mike McCarthy]

I've done that too...then stopped when I realized that a simple exothermic
weld to a short #2/0 wire as a transition is far simpler and faster to
install. The #2/0 wire then transitions to the strap in the horizontal
plane which is easier to execute. Long term, the exothermic weld mates
similar metals, requires less heat overall, is faster, and creates a
better billet of solder in the transition joint between the wire and
strap.

With exothermic welds now available in "one shot" mold configurations up
to #2/0, it makes no sense to heat the ground rod/electrode and risk
damaging the strap.  (Years ago, I welded copper or stainless steel plate
to ground rods, then silver soldered strap to the plates. It took a LOT of
heat to get the steel sufficiently hot for the solder to properly flow. 
So much that we soldered first, then welded the plates to the rods after
they were driven.  Then I discovered exothermic welding...then known as
Cadwelding.)

I have found the maximum size wire to be used with 3/4" rods to be #2/0. 
Anything heavier really should go to a 1" rod.

MM

Milton Wtote:
>
> Cad-weld is preferable for ground rods, but a honkin' big torch tip will
> do
> the job: Dig out about a foot below the attachment point, twist the strap
> up
> vertical, make a tight omega shaped bend around the rod, clamp it in
> place.
> Heat the top of the rod until good and hot, then move down and flow the
> solder up and down the width of the strap on both sides of the ground rod
> (This will require some skill not to have the solder dripping out of the
> joint.) If you're doing it right, the molten solder will flow into the
> joint
> all the way around the contact area........
> M