[30m] Can conductive adhesive join aluminum and copper wire?
Jason Hsu, AA0II
jhsu802701 at jasonhsu.com
Tue Jun 6 17:45:11 EDT 2006
Thanks for your suggestions on my Screwdriver Antenna problem.
I've thought of a way to attach 16 wires to the only 3 ground screws
available on my Screwdriver Antenna: Run 3 short copper grounding wires
terminated in ring terminals from the antenna to 3 long metal bolts.
Then attach 5-6 more copper wires (with ring terminals at one end) to
each of the 3 bolts. Secure all the wires to the bolts with metal hex
screws. Then connect the 16 copper wires to the 16 aluminum wires
already buried.
What are my options for attaching the copper and aluminum wires? The
options you've mentioned so far include:
1. Anti-seize compound (though the person who suggested this hasn't
tried it)
2. Liquid electrical tape (ditto)
3. Al-Cu-rated ground bar: This sounds like a good idea, but I hope it
won't cost too much to buy 16 of these. Unfortunately, the aluminum
radials don't go all the way to the antenna, because I was expecting the
foil duct tape to be a viable solution.
4. Wire nuts: I once tried to join wires using those twist-on
connectors with the plastic caps. I couldn't get these connectors to
work right.
5. Buss: I've never seen a buss before. I hope these aren't too
expensive.
6. Wire splice adapters: The idea is to insert the solid aluminum wire
into one hole and use a set screw to hold it in place and then attach a
copper wire terminated in a ring terminal to the other hole with another
screw. This could work in combination with the anti-seize compound,
liquid electrical tape, or NoALOX, assuming I can be sure that I have a
SOLID RF connection when I put it all together.
7. Join the copper and aluminum wires with a stainless steel hose clamp
and coat it all with NoALOX, anti-seize compound, or liquid electrical
tape.
8. Use a short length of stainless steel wire between the aluminum and
copper wire.
So far, none of you have suggested using a conductive adhesive to join
aluminum and copper wire. Is this a viable option? I've never used
conductive adhesive before.
Jason Hsu, AA0II
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