[Amps] Cool Amp Silver Plating

[Roger]

On 3/1/2014 10:09 AM, Jim Thomson wrote:
> Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:37:48 +0100
> From: peter chadwick <g8on at fsmail.net>
> To: MU 4CX250B <4cx250b at miamioh.edu>, Fuqua  Bill L <wlfuqu00 at uky.edu>
> Cc: "amps at contesting.com" <amps at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Cool Amp Silver Plating
>
> ##  The stuff works superb.     I use vinal gloves or latex gloves.....like the throw away types.

I started using those when building the airplane. By the box, they are 
10 cents or less each

I prefer the tight fitting latex, but those are difficult to get on the 
one hand.  The left had has improved to the point where I can put on a 
vinal or medium glove if I haven't used the hand enough for the "tone" 
to cause the fingers to curl.  Once that happens straightening the 
fingers causes the thumb to curl in tightly. Pulling, or forcing the 
thumb out, causes the fingers to curl and it's a very strong reaction. 
At that point, putting on a glove is a lost cause. <:-))

     You would be amazed at how the stuff works on relay contacts etc. 
  I have had several brand NEW  30-50 A
DPDT relays..like deltrol,  P+B  etc, that have int contacts on one or 
both poles.      Also same issue with
  DPST  and also SPST  relays.      If these types are relays are used 
for RF switching... what usually happens
  is you lose all RX.   After the usual careful cleaning... I applied 
cool-amp  to the contacts..all of em....and
  no more int RX.      b4... with a fluke dvm, I would see typ 3-80 
ohms.   And 0.0 ohms after the cool-amp
glop applied.   They also make another product, called conducto 
lube..which is pure silver powder
in grease.  Its used on sliding contacts and also relay contacts.   I 
have not tried it...yet.
>

I've found the flash coat of silver is soft enough that it works well on 
the rubbing contacts, at least for quite a while even if it is very 
thin.. I have not tried the silver lube either.  I wonder if it's the 
same as the "Arctic Silver" thermal compound?  I use quite a bit of that 
working with high speed computers (4 to 5 GHz).  It'd be pretty pricey 
to use as a conductive lube and it's meant to "cure" with heat and 
pressure, so probably not a good lube.


> ##  I also use it on all cu tubing tank coils on my hb amps.     I also use it on all cu straps...
like used on vac caps...and tank coil taps to bandswitch, etc, etc. 
I hate the look of plane
jane copper.   The finish on this cool amp stuff is superb...much better 
than real silver plating.
last forever....and doesn’t turn black.
>
> ## Trick is to clean the cu 1st.     I use JETS or SOS cleaning pads...... like the wife uses
  for  cleaning pots and pans.     Sorta looks like steel wool embedded 
with blue powder cleaning glop.   AFTER you cut the cu strap to length 
and punch holes in it, etc, then form it to say the tank coil to 
bandswitch etc.... then remove it...and apply the cool-amp goop. 
Forget rubbing it on with a cloth.    Use all 10 fingers and use latex 
or vinal  gloves  to apply the goop.  When every square inch is 
covered... then rinse the piece in warm water..then let sit on some 
paper toweling....  and use more toweling to gently daub it to remove 
any excess water.   DON’T SCRUB IT to get water off.
>

Likewise, pure silver plating results depend a lot on the base metal 
prep and usually requires polishing when done.  Not sure why the coolamp 
plating doesn't turn black.

73

Roger (K8RI)


> ##  The usual deal is to silver plate a whole mess of coils and straps etc.....all in one shot.
> ##  Plane CU looks awful imo.    It will discolour and even look worse down the road.
The cool-amp powder has an indefinite shelf life.     When u make a 
paste with it..... make the
paste in a little tiny container.   You don’t want it too thin..u want 
it thick.
>
> Jim  VE7RF
>
>
> Whether it's worthwhile electrically depends on the frequency. At 144MHz, the skin depth is 0.2 mil (0.0002 inch) and you need about 5 skin depths to keep 99% of the current in the silver, or about 1 mil i.e. 0.001 inch. At 1.8 MHz, you need about 0.009 inches for 5 skin depths....
>
> But it looks a lot nicer than oxidized copper.
>
> 73
>
> Peter G3RZP
>
>
>
>
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