Empathy List Archives

DM

Dave M

Mon, Jan 21, 2013 6:27 PM

Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but
without an easy way to search the archives, here goes.

I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to
make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of
special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since
vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go
into a tizzy when I use it.

Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder?
I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium
content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula
must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a
bunch, not just a few ounces.

Suggestions?

Dave M

Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but without an easy way to search the archives, here goes. I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go into a tizzy when I use it. Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder? I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a bunch, not just a few ounces. Suggestions? Dave M

MK

m k

Mon, Jan 21, 2013 6:45 PM

Buy a proper gas mask and some lead and cadmium powder from goodson metals?

Dont skimp on the gas mask though, there was a recent case of someone trying to rescue the silver contacts from some old relays that happened to contain cadmium silver alloy.

M K

From: dgminala@mediacombb.net
To: volt-nuts@febo.com
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:27:21 -0600
Subject: [volt-nuts] Low EMF solder

Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but
without an easy way to search the archives, here goes.

I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to
make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of
special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since
vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go
into a tizzy when I use it.

Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder?
I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium
content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula
must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a
bunch, not just a few ounces.

Suggestions?

Dave M

volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
and follow the instructions there.

Buy a proper gas mask and some lead and cadmium powder from goodson metals? Dont skimp on the gas mask though, there was a recent case of someone trying to rescue the silver contacts from some old relays that happened to contain cadmium silver alloy. M K > From: dgminala@mediacombb.net > To: volt-nuts@febo.com > Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:27:21 -0600 > Subject: [volt-nuts] Low EMF solder > > Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but > without an easy way to search the archives, here goes. > > I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to > make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of > special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since > vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go > into a tizzy when I use it. > > Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder? > I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium > content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula > must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a > bunch, not just a few ounces. > > Suggestions? > > Dave M > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there.

RA

Robert Atkinson

Tue, Jan 22, 2013 12:18 PM

If you really want to risk your health, while keeping it time nuts related, get an old Weston cell and drive of the Hg to leave the Cd .

Robert.

From: m k m1k3k1@hotmail.com
To: volt-nuts@febo.com
Sent: Monday, 21 January 2013, 18:45
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Low EMF solder

Buy a proper gas mask and some lead and cadmium powder from goodson metals?

Dont skimp on the gas mask though, there was a recent case of someone trying to rescue the silver contacts from some old relays that happened to contain cadmium silver alloy.

M K

From: dgminala@mediacombb.net
To: volt-nuts@febo.com
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:27:21 -0600
Subject: [volt-nuts] Low EMF solder

Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but
without an easy way to search the archives, here goes.

I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to
make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of
special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since
vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go
into a tizzy when I use it.

Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder?
I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium
content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula
must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a
bunch, not just a few ounces.

Suggestions?

Dave M

volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
and follow the instructions there.

If you really want to risk your health, while keeping it time nuts related, get an old Weston cell and drive of the Hg to leave the Cd . Robert. ________________________________ From: m k <m1k3k1@hotmail.com> To: volt-nuts@febo.com Sent: Monday, 21 January 2013, 18:45 Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Low EMF solder Buy a proper gas mask and some lead and cadmium powder from goodson metals? Dont skimp on the gas mask though, there was a recent case of someone trying to rescue the silver contacts from some old relays that happened to contain cadmium silver alloy. M K > From: dgminala@mediacombb.net > To: volt-nuts@febo.com > Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:27:21 -0600 > Subject: [volt-nuts] Low EMF solder > > Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but > without an easy way to search the archives, here goes. > > I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to > make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of > special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since > vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go > into a tizzy when I use it. > > Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder? > I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium > content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula > must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a > bunch, not just a few ounces. > > Suggestions? > > Dave M > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts and follow the instructions there.

TT

Tymm Twillman

Fri, Jan 25, 2013 8:11 PM

On this topic...

I noticed a reference in Wikipedia to Pb90Sn10 being an alternative to cadmium solders; does anyone have better references on this? (I'm finding the suggestion even in a 2007 Fluke brochure -- "Using Reference Multimeters for Precision Measurements" -- to use cadmium containing solders to build low thermal EMF leads, so I'm guessing there's just nothing that quite compares).

Also, any suggestions on how to determine when older equipment uses Cd containing solders? And how common is it in old test gear?

I've been rehabilitating a significant number of old meters / scopes / etc… both would like to get an idea of A) how likely it is that using PbSn solder (or PbAgSn solder) may significantly impact accuracy and B) how much more careful one needs to be when replacing components…

Thanks,

-Tymm

On Jan 21, 2013, at 10:27 AM, Dave M dgminala@mediacombb.net wrote:

Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but
without an easy way to search the archives, here goes.

I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to
make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of
special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since
vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go
into a tizzy when I use it.

Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder?
I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium
content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula
must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a
bunch, not just a few ounces.

Suggestions?

Dave M

volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
and follow the instructions there.

On this topic... I noticed a reference in Wikipedia to Pb90Sn10 being an alternative to cadmium solders; does anyone have better references on this? (I'm finding the suggestion even in a 2007 Fluke brochure -- "Using Reference Multimeters for Precision Measurements" -- to use cadmium containing solders to build low thermal EMF leads, so I'm guessing there's just nothing that quite compares). Also, any suggestions on how to determine when older equipment uses Cd containing solders? And how common is it in old test gear? I've been rehabilitating a significant number of old meters / scopes / etc… both would like to get an idea of A) how likely it is that using PbSn solder (or PbAgSn solder) may significantly impact accuracy and B) how much more careful one needs to be when replacing components… Thanks, -Tymm On Jan 21, 2013, at 10:27 AM, Dave M <dgminala@mediacombb.net> wrote: > Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, but > without an easy way to search the archives, here goes. > > I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying to > make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small hanks of > special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long since > vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the units go > into a tizzy when I use it. > > Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the solder? > I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the Cadmium > content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula > must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a > bunch, not just a few ounces. > > Suggestions? > > Dave M > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there.

JF

J. Forster

Sat, Jan 26, 2013 10:37 PM

When working with Eppley Thermopiles to directly measure optical power,
the signal is millivolts, at best. We had to use Keithley nanovoltmeters
with very low EMF wiring.

Keithley made special wiring kits that used unplated copper terminal lugs
and crimp joints. No solders at all.

I suspect similar terminals can be made by stripping the plating from
standard terminals.

-John

==============

On this topic...

I noticed a reference in Wikipedia to Pb90Sn10 being an alternative to
cadmium solders; does anyone have better references on this? (I'm finding
the suggestion even in a 2007 Fluke brochure -- "Using Reference
Multimeters for Precision Measurements" -- to use cadmium containing
solders to build low thermal EMF leads, so I'm guessing there's just
nothing that quite compares).

Also, any suggestions on how to determine when older equipment uses Cd
containing solders? And how common is it in old test gear?

I've been rehabilitating a significant number of old meters / scopes /
etc both would like to get an idea of A) how likely it is that using PbSn
solder (or PbAgSn solder) may significantly impact accuracy and B) how
much more careful one needs to be when replacing components

Thanks,

-Tymm

On Jan 21, 2013, at 10:27 AM, Dave M dgminala@mediacombb.net wrote:

Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before,
but
without an easy way to search the archives, here goes.

I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying
to
make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small
hanks of
special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long
since
vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the
units go
into a tizzy when I use it.

Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the
solder?
I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the
Cadmium
content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula
must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a
bunch, not just a few ounces.

Suggestions?

Dave M

volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
and follow the instructions there.

When working with Eppley Thermopiles to directly measure optical power, the signal is millivolts, at best. We had to use Keithley nanovoltmeters with very low EMF wiring. Keithley made special wiring kits that used unplated copper terminal lugs and crimp joints. No solders at all. I suspect similar terminals can be made by stripping the plating from standard terminals. -John ============== > On this topic... > > I noticed a reference in Wikipedia to Pb90Sn10 being an alternative to > cadmium solders; does anyone have better references on this? (I'm finding > the suggestion even in a 2007 Fluke brochure -- "Using Reference > Multimeters for Precision Measurements" -- to use cadmium containing > solders to build low thermal EMF leads, so I'm guessing there's just > nothing that quite compares). > > Also, any suggestions on how to determine when older equipment uses Cd > containing solders? And how common is it in old test gear? > > I've been rehabilitating a significant number of old meters / scopes / > etc both would like to get an idea of A) how likely it is that using PbSn > solder (or PbAgSn solder) may significantly impact accuracy and B) how > much more careful one needs to be when replacing components > > Thanks, > > -Tymm > > > On Jan 21, 2013, at 10:27 AM, Dave M <dgminala@mediacombb.net> wrote: > >> Please excuse me for asking this... I'm sure it's been covered before, >> but >> without an easy way to search the archives, here goes. >> >> I'm repairing a couple of old Holt 323A Audio Voltage Standards, trying >> to >> make one good one out of two. These instruments used to have small >> hanks of >> special low EMF solder to use on sensitive areas, but they have long >> since >> vanished from these units. I've tried using Sn-Pb solders, but the >> units go >> into a tizzy when I use it. >> >> Does anyone know of a source where I could buy a few ounces of the >> solder? >> I think it's a Tin-Cadmium formula, but I guess that because of the >> Cadmium >> content, it's pretty much unobtanium now. I'm sure that another formula >> must exist that is currently being manufactured, but they want to sell a >> bunch, not just a few ounces. >> >> Suggestions? >> >> Dave M >> _______________________________________________ >> volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to >> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > >

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Low EMF solder