[Elecraft] mod kits and parts

[Edward R. Cole]

Ron,

Either has a unique situation or extreme rainfall on the coast washes 
off the salt air deposits.  I lived on the California beach and my 
car chrome and exposed metal did rust.  Of course this was in 1970 
before the automotive industry began using galvanized metal and rust 
resistant treatments.

Regarding Marine electronics, I have 15-years experience maintaining 
them.  If it is not stainless steel, it will rust in 2-3 
years.  Ordinary plated terminals rust from the moisture in the salt 
air.  Even stainless will eventually corrode.  Aluminum is used a lot 
in marine construction but it also corrodes after subjected to salt 
spray and air.

New Marine electronics is often sealed with gaskets to prevent 
this.  Plastic cases are used.  Electronics life at sea is 
limited.  I have seen some folks coating electrical connections with 
a liquid plastic coating.  That does help but makes testing 
impossible as there is no exposed circuitry.  Some will use silicone 
grease to coast contacts and that works.  There is a black electrical 
coating called Contax (tm) that is good (even on coax 
threads).  Anti-seize compound is recommended for aluminum and bolts 
that need to be dismantled often.  A common task on boats is 
painting.   They paint everything including stainless u-bolts and coax cables.

Glad I am retired from all that!

------------------------------

Message: 18
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:04:37 -0700
From: Rick Dettinger <k7mw78 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re?  KPA 500
To: Ron D'Eau Claire <ron at cobi.biz>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: <E21CB9C8-15E1-4171-A467-61A4F59AC4C7 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Yes, and the nature of the humidity.  I don't know if there is
actually salt in the air over the oceans, but my uncle was a
commercial fisherman working off the Oregon and California coasts in
the 1950s and '60's.  When his AM marine band transceiver finally
"retired", he gave it to me to use for parts.  It had led a hard life
at sea and there was not much that I considered useable inside.  Most
of the screws were corroded in place.  Metal condenser plates
(remember, this was in the '50's!) were mostly white.  As a new
novice, I was rather disappointed.
If the case screws of my K3 rusted, I would be concerned about what
might be happening inside the box.  At least the old tube gear ran
warm enough to dry out in use.  Of course, any salt would remain.
That could be a problem!

73,

Rick Dettinger   K7MW

 > Johnny, it must have a lot to do with the temperature AND humidity.
 > I live a few hundred yards from the Pacific ocean on the Oregon
  ...snip...
 > of rust, nor do automobiles or other equipment left outdoors have
 > unusual corrosion issues.
 >
 > Ron AC7AC




73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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