Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Eric Smith via cctalk]

On Thu, Apr 28, 2022, 15:03 Peter Cetinski via cctalk 
wrote:

>
> TRS-80 guru Ian Mavric sells those gold connectors for the TRS-80.
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/164568343523 <
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/164568343523>
>

They're made by Sullins, and may be orderable from Digi-Key and other
distributors. I've bought them from Digi-Key in the past, but I think
Digi-Key may have stopped stocking them.

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[John Robertson via cctalk]

On 2022/04/30 4:28 p.m., dwight via cctalk wrote:

Yep. I didn't know it was now made by someone else. Also look at McMaster-Carr. 
You might get a better price.
Dwight


I've used Dow Corning #4 electrical grease for a couple of decades. It 
really helps preventing corrosion and reduces heating of contacts. You 
can also get it from Aklands Grainger.


John :-#)#




From: Ali 
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2022 3:23 PM
To: 'dwight' ; 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic 
Posts' 
Subject: RE: cleaning up edge connectors


Once the corrosion is removed I recommend using DC-4 on the
connections. It will protect the surfaces and keep great electrical
connections. It is a silicon grease that is non-conductive but keeps
the surface clean and improves metal to metal electrical contact. It
doesn't allow oxides to build at the contact surfaces.
It has measurable improvements of even gold on gold. I've used it on
solder to solder as well other dissimilar metals with good results.
I've used it on high current connections to reduce resistive heating up
to 1000 amperes.


Dwight,

Is this what you are talking about:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dc4.php

-Ali

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[dwight via cctalk]

Yep. I didn't know it was now made by someone else. Also look at McMaster-Carr. 
You might get a better price.
Dwight



From: Ali 
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2022 3:23 PM
To: 'dwight' ; 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic 
Posts' 
Subject: RE: cleaning up edge connectors

> Once the corrosion is removed I recommend using DC-4 on the
> connections. It will protect the surfaces and keep great electrical
> connections. It is a silicon grease that is non-conductive but keeps
> the surface clean and improves metal to metal electrical contact. It
> doesn't allow oxides to build at the contact surfaces.
> It has measurable improvements of even gold on gold. I've used it on
> solder to solder as well other dissimilar metals with good results.
> I've used it on high current connections to reduce resistive heating up
> to 1000 amperes.


Dwight,

Is this what you are talking about:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dc4.php

-Ali

RE: cleaning up edge connectors

[Ali via cctalk]

> Once the corrosion is removed I recommend using DC-4 on the
> connections. It will protect the surfaces and keep great electrical
> connections. It is a silicon grease that is non-conductive but keeps
> the surface clean and improves metal to metal electrical contact. It
> doesn't allow oxides to build at the contact surfaces.
> It has measurable improvements of even gold on gold. I've used it on
> solder to solder as well other dissimilar metals with good results.
> I've used it on high current connections to reduce resistive heating up
> to 1000 amperes.


Dwight,

Is this what you are talking about:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dc4.php

-Ali

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[dwight via cctalk]

Once the corrosion is removed I recommend using DC-4 on the connections. It 
will protect the surfaces and keep great electrical connections. It is a 
silicon grease that is non-conductive but keeps the surface clean and improves 
metal to metal electrical contact. It doesn't allow oxides to build at the 
contact surfaces.
It has measurable improvements of even gold on gold. I've used it on solder to 
solder as well other dissimilar metals with good results.
I've used it on high current connections to reduce resistive heating up to 1000 
amperes.
Dwight

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Jonathan Chapman via cctalk]

DeOxit works pretty good for cleaning up connectors that still have serviceable 
surface finishes, but yeah, temporary at best if the surface finish is gone. We 
use it to clean up all sorts of connectors that are just regular dirty, pots, 
etc.

Thanks,
Jonathan




--- Original Message ---
On Friday, April 29th, 2022 at 16:35, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk 
 wrote:


>
>
> On 4/28/22 18:02, Mike Katz wrote:
>
> > I use DeOxit Gold to clean my PDP-8 boards edge conectors:
>
>
> I have DeOxit but I saw that as a very short term solution (no
> pun intended :-)). I think I will try my idea of using solder
> with a little silver in it if I can find some suitable.
>
> bill

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

On 4/28/22 18:02, Mike Katz wrote:

I use DeOxit Gold to clean my PDP-8 boards edge conectors:



I have DeOxit but I saw that as a very short term solution (no
pun intended :-)).  I think I will try my idea of using solder
with a little silver in it if I can find some suitable.

bill

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Jonathan Chapman via cctalk]

> Copper? Mine all look like solder. Probably copper underneath but
> the exposed part is lead which probably explains why they seem to
> corrode so easily.

Ah, yeah, if they're finished in matte tin or HASL, I just reflow leaded solder 
on. A little bit of Superior #30 flux will make it flow nice and flat. If you 
don't have liquid flux suitable to it, put solder on and remove excess with 
solder wick.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

On 4/28/22 18:33, Jonathan Chapman wrote:

If there's bad/deep corrosion, I hit it with the ink eraser (I have a bunch of 
Eberhard-Faber ones that look like a wooden pencil, you sharpen them like a 
pencil too). If that won't touch it, I use the stainless steel toothbrush.

Corey Cohen has some plating solution that you dip a pen in, intended for 
jewelry repair. The plating does not hold up well over copper, you need a layer 
of nickel over the copper first. So, if you're removing down to the copper, 
you'll have to find a way to put nickel on first.


Copper?  Mine all look like solder.  Probably copper underneath but
the exposed part is lead which probably explains why they seem to
corrode so easily.

bill

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Jonathan Chapman via cctalk]

If there's bad/deep corrosion, I hit it with the ink eraser (I have a bunch of 
Eberhard-Faber ones that look like a wooden pencil, you sharpen them like a 
pencil too). If that won't touch it, I use the stainless steel toothbrush.

Corey Cohen has some plating solution that you dip a pen in, intended for 
jewelry repair. The plating does not hold up well over copper, you need a layer 
of nickel over the copper first. So, if you're removing down to the copper, 
you'll have to find a way to put nickel on first.

Thanks,
Jonathan




--- Original Message ---
On Thursday, April 28th, 2022 at 15:47, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk 
 wrote:


>
>
>
> I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s). As is usually
> the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
> and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
> help much. Back in the day there used to be something you
> could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
> Is anything like that still available? How about reflowing
> the pads using something like silver solder?
> If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
> doing to clean up these connectors?
>
> bill

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 4/28/22 13:56, John Foust via cctalk wrote:

> Not cheap but they are out there.
> 
> https://www.goldplating.com/collections/jewelry-plating-kits
> 
> I had a similar set of jars of metal salts for plating 40+ years ago.
> 
> - John


Another favorite place for plating supplies:

https://caswellplating.com

--Chuck

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Mike Katz via cctalk]

I use DeOxit Gold to clean my PDP-8 boards edge conectors:

https://www.amazon.com/G5S-6-Enhancer-Protector-Surfaces-Integrated/dp/B003A7KHK8

On 4/28/2022 4:53 PM, geneb via cctalk wrote:

On Thu, 28 Apr 2022, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:



I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
the pads using something like silver solder?
If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
doing to clean up these connectors?


Bill, you might want to look into these: (quantities assume you're 
also working with an Expansion Interface)


40 pin - you'll need 3:
https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/connectors/card-edge/male-card-edge-connector-40-position-1-inch-2-54mm-solder-eyelet-double-readout.html 



34 pin - you'll need 2:
https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/connectors/card-edge/male-card-edge-connector-34-position-1-inch-2-54mm-solder-eyelet-double-readout.html 



I found them while tracking down a replacement for one on a Model I 
that had been severely damaged.


g.

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[geneb via cctalk]

On Thu, 28 Apr 2022, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:



I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
the pads using something like silver solder?
If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
doing to clean up these connectors?


Bill, you might want to look into these: (quantities assume you're also 
working with an Expansion Interface)


40 pin - you'll need 3:
https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/connectors/card-edge/male-card-edge-connector-40-position-1-inch-2-54mm-solder-eyelet-double-readout.html

34 pin - you'll need 2:
https://www.elliottelectronicsupply.com/connectors/card-edge/male-card-edge-connector-34-position-1-inch-2-54mm-solder-eyelet-double-readout.html

I found them while tracking down a replacement for one on a Model I that 
had been severely damaged.


g.

--
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.diy-cockpits.org/coll - Go Collimated or Go Home.
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://scarlet.deltasoft.com - Get it _today_!

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

> On Apr 28, 2022, at 3:47 PM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
> the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
> and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
> help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
> could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
> Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
> the pads using something like silver solder?
> If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
> doing to clean up these connectors?
> 
> bill

TRS-80 guru Ian Mavric sells those gold connectors for the TRS-80.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164568343523 

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[John Foust via cctalk]

At 03:45 PM 4/28/2022, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
>>>If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
>>>doing to clean up these connectors?
>>Anent that, here's an oldie but goldie:
>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr-ZmDHR8U
>
>Now that was cool.  But, somehow I doubt it is still available.

Not cheap but they are out there.

https://www.goldplating.com/collections/jewelry-plating-kits

I had a similar set of jars of metal salts for plating 40+ years ago.

- John

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

On 4/28/22 16:32, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:

On 4/28/22 12:47, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:


I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
the pads using something like silver solder?
If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
doing to clean up these connectors?


Anent that, here's an oldie but goldie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr-ZmDHR8U


Now that was cool.  But, somehow I doubt it is still available.

bill

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 4/28/22 12:47, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
> 
> I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
> the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
> and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
> help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
> could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
> Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
> the pads using something like silver solder?
> If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
> doing to clean up these connectors?

Anent that, here's an oldie but goldie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr-ZmDHR8U

--Chuck

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Chris Zach via cctalk]

2000 grit sandpaper?

On 4/28/2022 4:16 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:

On 4/28/22 12:47, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:


I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
the pads using something like silver solder?
If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
doing to clean up these connectors?


Dunno about the gold stuff, but I've occasionally used Cool-Amp:

https://www.cool-amp.com/

--Chuck

Re: cleaning up edge connectors

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 4/28/22 12:47, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
> 
> I am hoping to restore my TRS-80 Model-I(s).  As is usually
> the case with these the edge connectors are badly corroded
> and dirty and cleaning them with an eraser really doesn't
> help much.  Back in the day there used to be something you
> could get that let you "gold plate" the edge connectors.
> Is anything like that still available?  How about reflowing
> the pads using something like silver solder?
> If neither of these is doable or practical, what are people
> doing to clean up these connectors?

Dunno about the gold stuff, but I've occasionally used Cool-Amp:

https://www.cool-amp.com/

--Chuck