[TowerTalk] Lightning protection questions.

[Sid Ashen-Brenner]

Aw come on guys, the guy is silver braising.  This requires at the minimum 
a MAPP gas torch, or better a Oxygen/Acetelene torch .. this is the stuff 
that the Air Conditioner guys use to "weld" the A/C lines with.  This is 
NOT a low temperature solder process.

                 Sid   N0OBM


At 21:35 07/24/2004, Michael Tope wrote:

>What alloy are you using, Tom. Most of the stuff you can buy at
>home box stores is for plumbing applications (96%Tin, 4% Silver).
>This stuff has a low melting point and the resistance is fairly
>high (similar to tin/lead solder). Some of the model railroad sites
>I found seem to be describing a higher temperature brazing like
>process using alloys with a much higher silver content for things
>like boiler assemblies. Sounds like you are talking about something
>similar which would make alot a sense for bonding a tower
>grounding system (low resistance, high melting point).
>
>Do you have a source and a recommended flux? I am planning
>to redo my grounding/radial system when we have our landscaping
>done later this year, so I am interested in different options for
>bonding things together.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike, W4EF.........................................................
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Tom Rauch" <w8ji at contesting.com>
>To: <K7LXC at aol.com>; ""Dudley Chapman"" <chief at thechief.com>;
><towertalk at contesting.com>
>Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2004 6:40 PM
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lightning protection questions.
>
>
> > > A question - why do you use silver solder? Isn't that
> > susceptible to melting when it takes a hit? It's also
> > contrary to the National Electrical Code using mechanical or
> > exothermic bonding
> >
> >
> > It's old habit Steve. I silver soldered at AM broadcast
> > stations for years, and never saw a problem. I silver solder
> > here, and never have a joint come apart. The flashing strap
> > from 300ft tower across the insulator is silver soldered
> > with just a "fold" that is flooded, and it takes hit after
> > hit. I can't ever in my life remember a silver solder
> > connection coming undone, because to melt the solder you
> > nearly have to melt the copper. I'm not recommending anyone
> > do anything but what the code says, but my guess is there
> > are all sorts of silver solders and they are afraid people
> > will use the stuff made for plumbing. Many people, I'm sure,
> > can't even solder properly with tin/lead. It makes sense to
> > me they made the code like they did, almost anyone can
> > tighten a bolt.
> >
> > It would make sense for the codes to require a "can't miss"
> > thing. After all, a good solder connection is many times
> > better than a wire nut. I can't think of a worse thing than
> > using a little spring to hold two wires together.
> >
> > Why is soldering house wiring against code? Probably because
> > most electricians can't solder. As long as I have my
> > acetylene oxygen torch set, I'll probably never do anything
> > else.
> >
> > 73 Tom
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
>questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
>any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
>_______________________________________________
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