Marine Electronics Forum - Does type of solder matter in a marine environment?

Hey guys,

Im making a few small soldered connections in my marine antenna connection. I went today to radio Shack and bought regular old "lead free solder" is that alright for my application? I just dont want it to corrode prematurely or have my marine raido fail on me when i need it most.

Booze

Best to use an acid free solder in marine for a environment....and I think that is what you already have from Radio Shack.

Semper,thanks for the quick response. Should the packaging say "acid free" or is it one of those things that are common knowledge? Sorry im new to this stuff!

Semper,thanks for the quick response. Should the packaging say "acid free" or is it one of those things that are common knowledge? Sorry im new to this stuff!

If it is a solid solder from Radio Shack..you should be o.k.

Some solders have a flux core..of either acid (Plumbing etc) or rosin core (Electronics etc)
I can't imagine Radio Shack selling anything but electronics grade solder and flux....so you will be fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux_(metallurgy)

http://www.elexp.com/t_solder.htm


If in 3 years your antenna fails, the boat sinks and all hands are lost at sea...then of course I was wrong.:grin:

Thank you Semper!

If in 3 years your antenna fails, the boat sinks and all hands are lost at sea...then of course I was wrong.:grin:

Now that there is funny. :rofl:

Now that there is funny. :rofl:

:thumbsup: X2

So are you saying that it is not OK to use rosin core solder ?

So are you saying that it is not OK to use rosin core solder ?

No..rosin core is fine ..it is the acid core that is not positive for marine use.

But most people use solid solder and use either paste or liquid flux.

Acid core is for plumbing.
Never use acid core or acid flux for electrical/electronic applications.

Acid core is for plumbing.
Never use acid core or acid flux for electrical/electronic applications.

x2

For electronics use, you cant go wrong with the solid silver laced solder.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062725

Use solid acid free solder and coat the connection with your choice of rust-be-damned and you should be fine.

If it is a solid solder from Radio Shack..you should be o.k.

Some solders have a flux core..of either acid (Plumbing etc) or rosin core (Electronics etc)
I can't imagine Radio Shack selling anything but electronics grade solder and flux....so you will be fine.

I completely agree that acid-core solder would be absolutely inappropriate to the market RatShack goes after. However, one should never underestimate the stupidity of bone-head bean-counters in a large corporate environment, or the lengths they will go to to save $0.12 per unit. Ditto for whatever Chinese sweatshop they're subcontracting the actual manufacturing out to.

Bottom Line: Be sure it actually says "Rosin Core" on the package!

Acid core is for plumbing.
Never use acid core or acid flux for electrical/electronic applications.

X3

The original question regarded using lead free solder. Many countries require manufacturers to use lead free solder so less lead will end up in disposal sites.

However since you are not manufacturing, you will find that the old 60/40 tin and lead solder is much easier to use and will do a better job. Lead free solder needs a higher temperature and is much harder to work with.

The original question regarded using lead free solder.

This is so typical. A question gets asked about ABC and answers related to XYZ are provided. And off we go on various tangents.

T

However since you are not manufacturing, you will find that the old 60/40 tin and lead solder is much easier to use and will do a better job. Lead free solder needs a higher temperature and is much harder to work with.


The best is actually not 60/40 but rather 63/37 which provides a eutectic melting point that goes directly from solid to liquid without first becoming mushy (the so-called plastic phase). Lower surface tension, too, for less chance of a "cold joint".

You definitely don't want lead-free unless that's all you can buy.