[TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

On 10/13/2013 10:26 PM, Wes Attaway (N5WA) wrote:
> I do the following
>
> 1. Bring the end of the copper strap around the ground rod so that you have
> about 6" or so of overlap at the end;
> 2. Drill a 3/8' hole thru both pieces of the strap about 1/2' or so from the
> rod;
> 3. Use a 3/8 bolt, nut, lock washer, and flat washers and tighten the
> assembly.  A hex head bolt helps with the tightening but is not essential;

Were I going to use bolts, I'd use copper or Brass with fairly thick 
washers.
No steel, or plated steel as shown in the photos. They work as well and 
no corrosion from dissimilar metals.


> 4.  Usually I cut off part of one side of the flat washers so there is a
> smooth face up close to the rod.  What you want to do is to pinch the copper
> strap very tightly as it comes around the ground rod;

You can simply replace the washers with solid copper  1/8" X 3/4 on each 
side
for a symmetrical fit and pressure.\


73

Roger (K8RRI)

> 5.  I usually put some conductive paste between the strap and the ground rod
> but, again, this is not essential.
> 6.  A bonus is that you have a piece of strap sticking out and you can use
> this to bolt any other items to that need to be grounded.
>
> The result is a good extremely tight bond between rod and strap and it is
> very inexpensive.  I have done this for years and have never had a problem.
> If you do it right the system will last for a long time.
>
>
>
> ----------------- Wes Attaway (N5WA) -------------------
> 1138 Waters Edge Circle, Shreveport, LA 71106
>      318-797-4972 (Office) - 318-393-3289 (Cell)
>          Computer Consulting and Forensics
> -------------- EnCase Certified Examiner ---------------
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mark
> Robinson
> Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 8:45 PM
> To: Mark Robinson; Ray Benny; TowerTalk
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod
>
> As another option, I believe that cadweld sells a form designed to work with
>
> copper strap and circular copper clad ground rods
>
> Mark N1UK
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Robinson" <markrob at mindspring.com>
> To: "Ray Benny" <rayn6vr at cableone.net>; "TowerTalk"
> <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, 13 October, 2013 9:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod
>
>
>> I preformed the copper strap around half of the copper clad ground rod and
>> silver soldered the strap to the rod.
>>
>>
>> Mark N1UK
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ray Benny" <rayn6vr at cableone.net>
>> To: "TowerTalk" <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, 13 October, 2013 5:47 PM
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod
>>
>>
>>> Has anyone come up with a way to connect flat copper straps to ground
>>> rods?
>>> DXXE sells copper clamps w/ hardware, but at $35 a pop, I hoping that
>>> there
>>> is a more reasonable way to get the job done.
>>>
>>> My copper strap is 2" wide, by 6ft, and about 18 ga, but not sure.
>>>
>>> Tnx,
>>>
>>> Ray,
>>> N6VR
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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