[Mobile-Portable] Bonding Connectors, Fasteners

[Gary Fiber]

Robert,

I have filled the braid with solder and drilled a 
hole, also rolled the end of the braid in some # 
10 wire ring connectors and heated the connector 
barrel and sweat soldered it into those. I 
generally use Serrated lock washers and sandwich 
the bond strap between two of them. In the past I 
have used stainless steel No. 8 sheet metal 
screws, usually phillips pan head. If you have a 
couple of drill motors,one with the proper size 
bit and the other with a #2 driver bit, 
installation goes pretty fast. On the frame I use 
what ever size bolt and lock washer is necessary 
or drill my own hole for the bond. From my screw 
driver antenna I use flat copper strap about 2 
inches in width. I use a Dremel tool to grind off 
the paint where I am going to bond, then I have 
been using electrical No-Oxide compound to 
protect from rust and promote a good electrical 
connection. The NO-Oxide compound is the stuff 
sold for connection of copper and aluminum wire 
together. I did not try to go under existing 
fasteners and like rings as they can't pull from under the screw.

I bond the radiator support to both fenders, both 
fenders to the firewall, both sides of the hood 
to the fenders at the firewall and run a strap 
from the firewall to the frame.  On my old pick 
up I did the bed on each side, the tail gate, the 
doors to the front posts, the cab to the frame on 
each side and the tail pipe in a couple of 
places. I placed a couple of bonds from the engine to the frame too.
I found it helped with noise and a side effect 
the lights had a better path to ground so they 
lasted and worked better over the years. None of 
one light going out when you hit the brakes stuff.
With the new electrical fuel pumps I placed a 
ferrite clamp on EMI Suppression Cored 
Ferrite,  clamp-on the power leads. I would have 
used a couple of feed through caps but I kept 
thinking they might go into trouble and open on 
some dark rainy night at a most inopportune time. 
The clamp on's seemed work. There are a few 
different material mixes that work I used Mix 43 material.

Others likely have different ideas but this has worked for me. Hope this helps.

Gary K8IZ



At 07:13 AM 12/30/2005, you wrote:
>Greetings:
>I am getting ready to RF Bond a couple of vehicles.  I
>have a supply of RG8 braid for any connections that
>have to flex and a supply of 3in wide Cu roof flashing
>for connections that don't have to flex.
>But I am having a little difficulty deciding what
>types of end fastenrers, screws, bolts, washers, lugs,
>etc that I will need and how to connect certain
>vehicle parts.  It seems that it will take several
>types of end connectors for doors & hoods, tail pipe,
>engine block to frame, radiator to frame, etc.  I
>woule appreciate any comments, suggestions regarding
>fastener types that will be needed for a fairly
>complete vehicle RF bonding job.
>Thanks much.
>Robert N6OI
>
>
>
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Gary Fiber K8IZ
GROL PG-19-6691
Washington State Resident