Thanks, I will have to look into getting one🙂
I do have a thermal sensor but not good for small scale testing.
Rick
I do have a thermal sensor but not good for small scale testing.
Rick
Perfect. I love it when someone knows what they are doing.
The location where the solder ends in a stranded wire solder joint is a very difficult place to prevent failure. When we solder stranded voltage tap wires onto our superconducting magnets, we wrap the stranded wire several times around the super cable, such that there is at least two turns left that the solder did not wick into, that provides the flex needed for the room temp to 4.5 kelvin temp difference. The stiff insulation tends to crack the wire if the solder reaches the unstripped location of the wire. We use two layers of kapton as it has 6kV per mil (.001 inch) dielectric capability, and a thick layer of tefzel over that (which is quite stiff and is the reason flexing could break the wire if the solder reaches the insulation).
John
"When we solder stranded voltage tap wires onto our superconducting magnets,"...
Doesn't the heat of soldering affect the superconducting state of the magnets?
Doesn't the heat of soldering affect the superconducting state of the magnets?
Thanks John🙂
I appreciate the comment and the explanation of how and why you do it the way you do!
I learned quite a bit about soldering from a buddy that went to the Micro Miniature Soldering School when we got a full station onboard the ship we were on. I was scheduled to go next but we had a mission come up and it was canceled and never rescheduled, I was greatly disappointed
At my next command, shore duty, remote location, we had a need for a station but not the funding. I found the gear at an Air Force base we got for free then designed and built an inspected then certified station from scratch out of the best materials I could source, for free as well. I was scheduled for the school again then things happened unexpectedly and it was canceled. I never got to go to the school, bummer.
I have soldered flat packs, what we called them at least, but never anything smaller and do not have the gear and likely eyes for it now at my age.
Rick
I appreciate the comment and the explanation of how and why you do it the way you do!
I learned quite a bit about soldering from a buddy that went to the Micro Miniature Soldering School when we got a full station onboard the ship we were on. I was scheduled to go next but we had a mission come up and it was canceled and never rescheduled, I was greatly disappointed
At my next command, shore duty, remote location, we had a need for a station but not the funding. I found the gear at an Air Force base we got for free then designed and built an inspected then certified station from scratch out of the best materials I could source, for free as well. I was scheduled for the school again then things happened unexpectedly and it was canceled. I never got to go to the school, bummer.
I have soldered flat packs, what we called them at least, but never anything smaller and do not have the gear and likely eyes for it now at my age.
Rick
I will look into them but really do not need one, just handy to have, might find a great used one though so will see what I can find.
Thanks,
Rick
Thanks,
Rick
Once you have one, you find many uses for it... Especially if its always with you on a phone. Predator-vision!
I will likely get one of those Cat phones, or similar, when I need a replacement for the S10e I have now. I did not look to closely at them but saw one for under $100 used which I do not care if used or not though will be sure to get one in good condition even if a bit more.
Thanks!
Rick
Thanks!
Rick
The solder we use is tin/silver, 221C melting point. That temperature does not affect the superconductor.
John
Why tin/silver, if I may ask? Is it just what has worked well that doesn't have lead, or other reasons?
I’m pretty sure the soldering is done with everything at room temperature, but the joint has to hold up when taken cold. Very cold.
I used silver solder on all connections for a high end alarm install that was hidden into the stock harness, brain, etc well up under the dash as dash was out when it was installed. There were some wiring soldered together using the mil spec method I posted above and then covered with marine grade heat shrink which makes them water tight. This was installed in 1998 and still works perfectly fine, never once had a wiring issue, been through 10 degrees below zero and 120 degrees in the desert and 300k miles which included being lowered, raised, jumped over things, sliding sideways up a mountain road....lowered again, ver custom paint and body work, new interior again as sell has gone through more high end audio installs....It has been owned by my best buddy for around 10 years now, still no issues.
Rick
Rick
About 4% silver in tin is eutectic and physically quite strong. I wonder if it avoids phase transitions at low temperature? Many tin compounds have low temperature phase transitions (pure tin does for instance, know as tin pest). Perhaps silver is chosen as being as being electropositive enough to stop tin pest as well as making a suitable eutectic solder?
Following this thread has been good. There are so many situations where a connection should have the best treatment to secure it for the given purpose. Everything from marine, superconductors and space has been mentioned. In our specific case of audio, a little bit here and there applies, yet for the most part things like extreme cold or extreme vibration (if any) doesn't apply at a level that makes any difference. The heat incurred doesn't often have an effect given the wire composition and insulation used. Certainly, there must be a standard to achieve, and then I witness so very often an attempt (barely) at making a solder joint or otherwise that should be allowed let alone work, performed by those out there that claim either some expertise or longevity in the game.
In the field of repair, I came across almost daily, not only failure of the line that I was troubleshooting but seemingly everything front and behind were also just about ready to give as well. The originator of this wiring was usually somebody that made their numbers on a regular basis and knew the coding system well.
In the field of repair, I came across almost daily, not only failure of the line that I was troubleshooting but seemingly everything front and behind were also just about ready to give as well. The originator of this wiring was usually somebody that made their numbers on a regular basis and knew the coding system well.
Unfortunately that happens far to often, bored employees, or under appreciated or underpaid, or all three. Then management not paying attention, in my just about to turn 73 years I have seen far to many butt kissers move up because they work for other butt kissers that did the same and have no real skill and it can go all the way to the top, often led by not so savory people. Then there can be planned obsolescence, knowing you can fix a few here and there and get but finally most want the new latest and greatest model. .
Those that truly care about the quality of what they do are often those that are not promoted nor appreciated and sometimes end up out the door because it threatens the "leadership", it has happened to me quite often, military and industry, why only worked for myself for a very long time.
Rick
Those that truly care about the quality of what they do are often those that are not promoted nor appreciated and sometimes end up out the door because it threatens the "leadership", it has happened to me quite often, military and industry, why only worked for myself for a very long time.
Rick
There is truth in that. Since COVID this has become worse probably because of fear to loose ones job and today there is even more incertainty about the future.
I noticed this too. Politics have also entered the job market big time and some features are used as wrong tooling like DEI and LHBTQI stuff. Some get very far as they have a certain gender or sexual anomaly (which are totally irrelevant) but don’t have the qualities required for the job. The solution is then to have 2 workers for the job 🙂
I noticed this too. Politics have also entered the job market big time and some features are used as wrong tooling like DEI and LHBTQI stuff. Some get very far as they have a certain gender or sexual anomaly (which are totally irrelevant) but don’t have the qualities required for the job. The solution is then to have 2 workers for the job 🙂
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Even in 20 years in the military I saw things that were just not right but I also saw some great things and worked under some incredible bosses. Things were changing back then and not for the best. I have no problem with race, gender, sexual preferences, etc....as long as not used as merit to advance those not qualified for the job. That is just plain wrong and weakens the whole system, it is not a balanced way of doing things. I have worked with, for and above those mentioned and had wonderful experiences with the majority of them but not so great with nearly all of those moved up because of it, worst one was a lesbian LT whose uncle was a senator, one of the best was a lesbian LT that worked her way up, she did a dang fine job at everything.
Soldering, not much needed at that particular facility but here is something that turned out great. All military activity in SoCal was through our systems and our main comm setup between operators was in bad shape, due to be replaced, lesbian LT just kissed ***, lied about the system, treated us terribly, would not listen to highly experienced techs......On my own dime I tried a product called Caig Pro Gold to test cleaning the contacts in one of the relay panels, there were thousands of contacts in all the panels combined. It worked, huge improvement over being afraid a failure at a critical time could cost lives. After proving it would work I was then authorized to spend the little money it cost to buy a case of it, which I arrange to do from the local manf directly. It was incredible rewarding to find a way to get us by while waiting for the new system, in fact they were considering having the manf setup a custom line to replicate those vert old style relays are great cost, we no longer needed them.
I also was the only one there who would stand up to this horrific, non leader, eventually playing the critical role in ending her career, I had to put my *** on the line to do so, it cost me any further promotion but was worth it. (I usually had around a dozen seasoned techs working for me, transfers, etc happen, in two years I lost all but one that got out instead of staying to retire as they just would not work under her, 16 careers ended of quality techs and great people, that is just plain wrong)
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I got of on a tangent it seems....all things need done the right way, soldering included, always, if we all did that the landfills would not be so full and ocean would be much cleaner.
Rick
Soldering, not much needed at that particular facility but here is something that turned out great. All military activity in SoCal was through our systems and our main comm setup between operators was in bad shape, due to be replaced, lesbian LT just kissed ***, lied about the system, treated us terribly, would not listen to highly experienced techs......On my own dime I tried a product called Caig Pro Gold to test cleaning the contacts in one of the relay panels, there were thousands of contacts in all the panels combined. It worked, huge improvement over being afraid a failure at a critical time could cost lives. After proving it would work I was then authorized to spend the little money it cost to buy a case of it, which I arrange to do from the local manf directly. It was incredible rewarding to find a way to get us by while waiting for the new system, in fact they were considering having the manf setup a custom line to replicate those vert old style relays are great cost, we no longer needed them.
I also was the only one there who would stand up to this horrific, non leader, eventually playing the critical role in ending her career, I had to put my *** on the line to do so, it cost me any further promotion but was worth it. (I usually had around a dozen seasoned techs working for me, transfers, etc happen, in two years I lost all but one that got out instead of staying to retire as they just would not work under her, 16 careers ended of quality techs and great people, that is just plain wrong)
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I got of on a tangent it seems....all things need done the right way, soldering included, always, if we all did that the landfills would not be so full and ocean would be much cleaner.
Rick
I cannot exalt myself as any better than the next guy. I truly wasn't. BUT I will never forget the day where I was called into the bosses' office and was immediately provided with the following remark, "Greg, I have to give you a warning about your job performance. You are taking longer on jobs than most people.... He sighs. On the other hand, this might be a good time to give you an award. On my desk here are three letters from customers from that want to express their gratitude for completely repairing their phone line after so many attempts in the past that have failed."
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I am not exalted by any means, I have made many mistakes in life, some I will never discuss even with my best freind and most wonderful wife.
I just do my best to be a better being than I was each time I pick myself back up and now, still working on it but also glad I had the life I did to learn and grow from. I was raised in poverty and abused, those things can be an excuse or a stepping stone to become better and not repeat what has been done to you. I am the happiest I have ever been in life, right now, very fulfilled, and glad I am here to see the world full of wonderful people waking up from the dream that we have been under the spell of for thousands of years.
Not all my good deeds went unnoticed by those above me, I have had rewards as well but never did it for the reward, just did it because one should to all things well.
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That feels good doesn't it! Gratitude for a job done well, congrats on those letters!
Rick
I just do my best to be a better being than I was each time I pick myself back up and now, still working on it but also glad I had the life I did to learn and grow from. I was raised in poverty and abused, those things can be an excuse or a stepping stone to become better and not repeat what has been done to you. I am the happiest I have ever been in life, right now, very fulfilled, and glad I am here to see the world full of wonderful people waking up from the dream that we have been under the spell of for thousands of years.
Not all my good deeds went unnoticed by those above me, I have had rewards as well but never did it for the reward, just did it because one should to all things well.
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That feels good doesn't it! Gratitude for a job done well, congrats on those letters!
Rick
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