[Elecraft] Deflux?

Thu Aug 15 10:12:01 2002

Hi

I agree with Tom

I usually clean my boards with denatured alcohol. This will clean the boa=
rd but will sometimes deposit a white residue. I have found by adding a s=
quirt of WD-40 to the alcohol prevents this and makes it clean better.  I=
 use a 1 inch paint brush with the bristles cut to about 3/4 inch long to=
 scrub the board. Then blow the board off with an air gun or hair dryer. =
I have been using this technique for many years and it works very well. =20

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! Will Robinson - Do not clean the front panel board.=
 the dissolved flux will get into the switches and on the LCD display and=
 cause all sort of problems. The switches are not sealed. The flux will a=
ct like glue and make them stick. If you get the flux on the display it i=
s just about impossible to get it off causing it to look bad. Do not clea=
n any of the boards while attached to the painted panels. The dissolved f=
lux will get on the paint and discolor it and/or make it sticky.  =20

THE DISCLAIMER AND FINE PRINT SECTION

The reason Elecraft does not recommend cleaning the boards is because of =
the potential problems of using the wrong cleaner or using a cleaner in t=
he wrong place (front panel). It will do no harm to leave the flux on the=
 board. If you decide to clean your boards you do so at your own risk. Th=
ere are several things I do when building a K2/K1 that Elecraft does not =
recommend. Cleaning the boards an using no-clean solder are two of them. =
Elecraft must write it's manual for all levels of experience. Unless you =
have a lot of experience with a technique and know how to make it work, i=
t is best to go strictly by the book.  =20

Don Brown
KD5NDB

4 K2's
3 K1's
all options
2 KPA100's

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom HammondN=D8SS
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 10:44 PM
To: Steve Dyer; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Deflux?

Steve:

>Any recommendations on defluxing juice and where to get it?
>
>Want to pretty up my board.

I seldom attempt to clean up... too much chance the dissolved rosin will =20
wind up in something it's not supposed to be in, and then bad things REAL=
LY =20
DO happen!

But, when I DO want to tidy up a bit, I use denatured (wood) alcohol, and=
 =20
then dry the board immediately with my XYL's hair drier!

Using 'solvents' which can melt plastics is not a good thing, as several =
K2 =20
owners can attest.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS

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