Non Mech Join to Aluminum

[Ken Dunlop]

What are the alternatives for applying an earth lead to a bare
aluminum chassis that do not require a mechanical fitting?

Brand names of products would be appreciated, if possible.

Ken Dunlop

 

[Phil Allison]

"Ken Dunlop"

What are the alternatives for applying an earth lead to a bare
aluminum chassis that do not require a mechanical fitting?

** Expensive, difficult and not as reliable as using a fitting.

Seeing as it is only a "chassis" what the heck is your problem with making
a small hole ?

BTW:

Why use the American spelling for "aluminium" when you are posting from
Australia ??


..... Phil

 

[Kevin McMurtrie]

What are the alternatives for applying an earth lead to a bare
aluminum chassis that do not require a mechanical fitting?

Brand names of products would be appreciated, if possible.

Ken Dunlop

When I was a kid I managed such connections with the help of many 40V
power supply capacitors. Sharpen the wire's tip, electrify both ends,
close eyes, and jam the two together.

On a more serious note, it's probably better to use a mechanical
connection. There are many aluminum alloys and the ability to solder
them varies from difficult to nearly impossible. Some alloys may appear
to solder fine but later corrode or shatter.

 

[ehsjr]

I wondered about that - but would not be convinced unless you could
provide evidence.

OTOH - you could look it up for yourself.

Ed

 

[Przemek Klosowski]

I successfully soldered regular PbSn solder to aluminum by scraping
vigorously under a drop of engine oil and then quickly soldering in
the oil drop.

 

[Cydrome Leader]

http://books.google.ca/books?id=IOE...213#v=onepage&q=soldering to anything&f=false

That's an interesting link, and the tip about how to feed carbon paper
into a typwritter is quite amusing.

I've seen aluminum soldered with zinc bearing solder. I'm not sure if
these are commercially available though. In this case they were actually
making the solder in house, and it didn't requite lots of scraping as with
regular electronic solder to wet the aluminum.

 

[Archimedes' Lever]

That's an interesting link, and the tip about how to feed carbon paper
into a typwritter is quite amusing.

I've seen aluminum soldered with zinc bearing solder. I'm not sure if
these are commercially available though. In this case they were actually
making the solder in house, and it didn't requite lots of scraping as with
regular electronic solder to wet the aluminum.

Conductive epoxy! Idiots!

 

[Cydrome Leader]

Conductive epoxy! Idiots!

When's the last time you glued a ground to something?

 

[Kevin McMurtrie]

Conductive epoxy! Idiots!

Better glue a fire extinguisher to the side of that.

 

[Archimedes' Lever]

Better glue a fire extinguisher to the side of that.

High current? It's called a drill, and a nut and bolt and a damned
ring lug terminal.