Thanks, but remember-I didn't ask for RoHS compliant, I asked for "lead free".
Thanks, but remember-I didn't ask for RoHS compliant, I asked for "lead free".
Brian,
Since starting the thread, have you made any progress finding a lead free DD altimeter?
Am I the only one who saw that the R-Das is lead free?
Brian,
Since starting the thread, have you made any progress finding a lead free DD altimeter?
I know. That's what I was pointing out for those who were saying, "Oh, such-and-such product is RoHS-compliant". That doesn't necessarily mean that they're lead-free.
Good luck with your search. For what it's worth, I'll check the parts that go into the Eggtimer to see if they are all fully RoHS-compliant (vs. RoHS-compliant by exception). We do use leaded solder paste to reflow-mount the baro sensor and the memory, because it melts at a lower temperature and is easier on the parts and the board, but if I can snag a small amount of unleaded paste I'll give it a try and see how it works out.
Am I the only one who saw that the R-Das is lead free?
Yes, I'm awaiting confirmation from AED on the R-DAS being lead free and I got a custom quote from John on the MARSA54L.
Jeroen is part of AED, so you can consider his statement above as confirmation.
Reinhard
I've heard that all lead free altimeters use uranium as a replacement. It glows in the dark and is really cool for night flights! (sarcasm).
Unless you plan on eating your altimeter, you are talking such a low level that it's not really an issue. Or do you expect all your altimeter flights to crash in a wildlife refuge?
What are you going to use for wire to connect to the altimeter? Or is the concern only with the solder in the altimeter. Lead compounds are frequently used in the colorants used in the insulation. I don't know if any of the commercially available initiators use RoHS compliant wire.
Once one has a lead free DD altimeter, is there a lead free tracker, GPS or RDF that's out there? Unless one is going to limit motor size,
gotta find the rocket or the risk of losing that lead-free altimeter goes way up. If one can find and recover the rocket and/or it's payload, will limit lead exposure to the environment. Kurt
One could certainly build a Rocket Track or Eggfinder with lead free solder.
If a lead free remedy can be had that won't dork SMT stuff then that's acceptable. Kurt
I don't know what you mean with that statement.
But the unknown are the modules that both use. On the Rocket Track, the xbees and bt modules are rohs compliant but it doesn't say anything about lead free. I don't have one in front of me at the moment so I can't see if it is or not. The gps on the mini tx appears to be lead free and there is a statement in the data sheet about only using lead free solder.
In a nutshell, "heat". Low temp solder is supplied with the EggFinder and I believe is contains some lead. If there is a low temp lead free solder available then one doesn't have to worry about component damage. Through hole components I believe are a bit more resistant to heat application
as I can attest to some of my successful kit building endeavors from years ago. If I'm not mistaken, lead free solder may take a higher temp to melt?
If cost is the issue then I would think a lead-free option would have a market for those who don't mind paying a premium. Kurt
baloney. you aren't going to damage the parts by using lead free solder and an iron. you are only applying heat for a few seconds at most.
Got it-thanks for looking into.
... a little insight for the uninitiated would be cool.
BrianURocket:
I got some lead-free solder paste, I'm going to see how it works out in the reflow oven with an Eggtimer board. Note that the PC boards that I have in stock are standard HASL finish, which is lead-tinned. However, I believe I have a few lead-free prototype boards, PM me if you would be interested in a lead-free Eggtimer kit and I'll see what I can come up with.
There has been an effort to remove lead from solder since at least the 70's, coinciding with the removal of tetraethyl lead from gasonline and lead pigments from paints. Only recently have rules and certifications been put in place (RoHS). I work in electronics manufacturing for high-rel devices where we still have to use tin-lead eutectic and I know there are health concerns with vaporization of minute amounts of lead, tin-lead eutectic splash and slag being haz-mat, solder paste contamination, etc, etc, etc.
The argument for leaded solder has to do with tin whiskers. Without opening up a bag of solder-geek snakes, let's just say there are alternatives that have similar melting points.
There has been an effort to remove lead from solder since at least the 70's, coinciding with the removal of tetraethyl lead from gasonline and lead pigments from paints. Only recently have rules and certifications been put in place (RoHS). I work in electronics manufacturing for high-rel devices where we still have to use tin-lead eutectic and I know there are health concerns with vaporization of minute amounts of lead, tin-lead eutectic splash and slag being haz-mat, solder paste contamination, etc, etc, etc.
The argument for leaded solder has to do with tin whiskers. Without opening up a bag of solder-geek snakes, let's just say there are alternatives that have similar melting points.
BrianURocket:
I got some lead-free solder paste, I'm going to see how it works out in the reflow oven with an Eggtimer board. Note that the PC boards that I have in stock are standard HASL finish, which is lead-tinned. However, I believe I have a few lead-free prototype boards, PM me if you would be interested in a lead-free Eggtimer kit and I'll see what I can come up with.
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