Post by thread:Material to fill a box

Hi all, I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? Regards /Ake --- Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) eurosource, Brattbergavägen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: http://can.sourceforge.net Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

i'm not sure about cost, but there are non-corrosive silicone compounds available. sorry i don't know a local source for you, but electronics distributors should have it. they pour in as a reasonably thin liquid and then solidify, they are 2 part so have to be mixed before use and them chemically react to solidify. note that you need one that is not corrosive, many silicones are corrosive, particularly over time. for just weight, you could do what they do in many lamps, just put a steal plate in it. Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Hi all, > > I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about > filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give > them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling > material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn > expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > > Regards > /Ake > > --- > Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) > eurosource, Brattbergavägen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden > Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 > Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: > http://can.sourceforge.net > Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Is this the type you mean? www.wacker.com/internet/webcache/en_US/PTM/TM/Elastosil/Elastosil _RT_Addition/ELASTOSIL_RT_607.pdf Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Från: pic microcontroller discussion list [spam_OUTPICLISTTakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU]För Philip Stortz Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 15:56 Till: .....PICLISTKILLspam@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Ämne: Re: Material to fill a box i'm not sure about cost, but there are non-corrosive silicone compounds available. sorry i don't know a local source for you, but electronics distributors should have it. they pour in as a reasonably thin liquid and then solidify, they are 2 part so have to be mixed before use and them chemically react to solidify. note that you need one that is not corrosive, many silicones are corrosive, particularly over time. for just weight, you could do what they do in many lamps, just put a steal plate in it. Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Hi all, > > I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about > filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give > them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling > material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn > expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > > Regards > /Ake > > --- > Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) > eurosource, Brattbergavägen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden > Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 > Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: > http://can.sourceforge.net > Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

No I don't. I was fixing an aquarium once and I was told to find that stuff. -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [EraseMEPICLISTspam_OUTTakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Ake Hedman Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 11:20 AM To: PICLISTspam_OUTMITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: SV: Material to fill a box Do you have apointer for that stuff? Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Fren: pic microcontroller discussion list [@spam@PICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU]Fvr Fred Hillhouse Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 16:51 Till: KILLspamPICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU Dmne: Re: Material to fill a box Maybe marine silicone RTV? It isn't acidic like the regular stuff or if would kill the fish. Or so I am told anyway. -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [RemoveMEPICLISTTakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Ake Hedman Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 7:36 AM To: spamBeGonePICLISTspamBeGoneMITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: Material to fill a box Hi all, I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? Regards /Ake --- Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: http://can.sourceforge.net Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Ake, If conditions in the enclosure are appropriate, you might consider wax. At a prior place of employment, we looked at several from Walnut Hill Enterprises. They manufacture mostly for the hobby candle making industry but they have a chemist on staff who seemed willing to discuss our needs with us. They are in Bristol, PA. We eventually went with something else as the temperature rise in our enclosures was too high for waxes to be suitable. Dave Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}>Hi all, > >I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about >filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give >them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling >material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > >Regards >/Ake > > --- >Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) >eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden >Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 >Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: >http://can.sourceforge.net >Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Thanks. That was a *very* good idea. Well worth a test. Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Från: pic microcontroller discussion list [PICLISTEraseME.....MITVMA.MIT.EDU]För David Minkler Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 22:40 Till: EraseMEPICLISTMITVMA.MIT.EDU Ämne: Re: Material to fill a box Ake, If conditions in the enclosure are appropriate, you might consider wax. At a prior place of employment, we looked at several from Walnut Hill Enterprises. They manufacture mostly for the hobby candle making industry but they have a chemist on staff who seemed willing to discuss our needs with us. They are in Bristol, PA. We eventually went with something else as the temperature rise in our enclosures was too high for waxes to be suitable. Dave Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}>Hi all, > >I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about >filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give >them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling >material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > >Regards >/Ake > > --- >Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) >eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden >Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 >Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: >http://can.sourceforge.net >Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Have you thought about using a "hot glue gun"? Steve Ake Hedman <RemoveMEakheEraseMEEraseMEEUROSOURCE.SE> wrote: Hi all, I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? Regards /Ake --- Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: http://can.sourceforge.net Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

That is also a good idea. Anyone tested this? Experiences? Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list [RemoveMEPICLISTspam_OUTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For Steve Kosmerchock Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 23:10 Till: RemoveMEPICLISTTakeThisOuTspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU Amne: Re: Material to fill a box Have you thought about using a "hot glue gun"? Steve Ake Hedman <EraseMEakhespamspamBeGoneEUROSOURCE.SE> wrote: Hi all, I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? Regards /Ake --- Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: http://can.sourceforge.net Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Ake, Some of the glues become (noticably) conductive over time (and temperature). The origin of my suggestion about waxes came from the fact that boards and individual components were frequently coated with waxes (beeswax maybe?) as conformal coatings in the days before silicone or acrylic conformal coatings (say, the 50s and early 60s). Additionally, I recall that core and coil neon light transformers were often encapsulated in tar (quite a mess and smelly too). Regards, Dave Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}>That is also a good idea. Anyone tested this? Experiences? > >Regards >/Ake > >-----Ursprungligt meddelande----- >Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list >[RemoveMEPICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For Steve Kosmerchock >Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 23:10 >Till: PICLISTSTOPspamspam_OUTMITVMA.MIT.EDU >Amne: Re: Material to fill a box > > >Have you thought about using a "hot glue gun"? > >Steve > >Ake Hedman <spamBeGoneakheSTOPspamEraseMEEUROSOURCE.SE> wrote: >Hi all, > >I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about >filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give >them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling >material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > >Regards >/Ake > >--- >Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) >eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden >Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 >Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: >http://can.sourceforge.net >Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? >Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Dave, I remember trafos with tar myself. But as you say it was a bit smelly. I think wax is interesting. It is in fact low priced. Concerns are a low melting point and possibly conductivity. But I think I will go for a test on this. Thanks & Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Från: pic microcontroller discussion list [KILLspamPICLISTspamBeGoneMITVMA.MIT.EDU]För David Minkler Skickat: den 18 juni 2004 01:46 Till: EraseMEPICLISTEraseMEMITVMA.MIT.EDU Ämne: Re: SV: Material to fill a box Ake, Some of the glues become (noticably) conductive over time (and temperature). The origin of my suggestion about waxes came from the fact that boards and individual components were frequently coated with waxes (beeswax maybe?) as conformal coatings in the days before silicone or acrylic conformal coatings (say, the 50s and early 60s). Additionally, I recall that core and coil neon light transformers were often encapsulated in tar (quite a mess and smelly too). Regards, Dave Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}>That is also a good idea. Anyone tested this? Experiences? > >Regards >/Ake > >-----Ursprungligt meddelande----- >Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list >[@spam@PICLIST@spam@spam_OUTMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For Steve Kosmerchock >Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 23:10 >Till: spamBeGonePICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU >Amne: Re: Material to fill a box > > >Have you thought about using a "hot glue gun"? > >Steve > >Ake Hedman <.....akhespam_OUTEUROSOURCE.SE> wrote: >Hi all, > >I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about >filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give >them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling >material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > >Regards >/Ake > >--- >Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) >eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden >Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 >Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: >http://can.sourceforge.net >Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? >Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email TakeThisOuTlistserv.....TakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

I did not think about that but of course that is a possibility. Don't know who to manage without you all guys on the list. You are the best!!! Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list [.....PICLISTRemoveMEMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For William Chops Westfield Skickat: den 18 juni 2004 11:56 Till: RemoveMEPICLISTspamBeGoneMITVMA.MIT.EDU Amne: Re: SV: SV: Material to fill a box On Friday, Jun 18, 2004, at 00:55 US/Pacific, Ake Hedman wrote: >> I have looked around for electronic filling >> material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >> expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? >> note that general purpose epoxy or polyurethane resins are considerably cheaper in moderate quantities, and can be "filled" with a large percentage of "really cheap" stuff like sawdust or sand... BillW -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spamBeGonelistserv@spam@spam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email TakeThisOuTlistservspammitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Filling the epoxy etc with quartz powder also make the temperature expansion more like that of a PCB, and enhances the thermal conductivity. I have used an epoxy with 70% filling. Åke, look in Elfa. There are also silicone types, some filled to enhance termal conductivity. Silicones have the great advantage that they are flexible so thermal expansion and cycling does not meake mechanical stress and wear on solder joints, components in general etc. The best ever I have used also for total water safe applicaiton is a tacky silica gel from Wacker, it is very flexible, transparent and somewhat self-healing: you can push a test neeedle down to the PCB for testing, then withdraw it and it is water tight again. I have the PCB completely suspended in this mass and tha tmake it shock proof. Even the casing may break and the PCB is protected from water! Just remember to have air in the casing for thermal expansion. /Morgan William Chops Westfield 11:55 2004-06-18: {Quote hidden}>On Friday, Jun 18, 2004, at 00:55 US/Pacific, Ake Hedman wrote: > >>>I have looked around for electronic filling >>>material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >>>expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? >note that general purpose epoxy or polyurethane resins are considerably >cheaper in moderate quantities, and can be "filled" with a large >percentage of "really cheap" stuff like sawdust or sand... > >BillW > >-- >http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! >email listservEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- Morgan Olsson, Kivik, Sweden -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email RemoveMElistservEraseMEspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of heat. Beats silicon rubber, which sometimes contains acetic acid and eats copper. We used to fill outdoor sensor boxes with paraffin wax all the time. -- Lawrence Lile David Minkler <@spam@minkRemoveMEEraseMELUXTRON.COM> Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list <EraseMEPICLIST@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU> 06/17/2004 06:45 PM Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list To: @spam@PICLISTspam_OUT.....MITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: Subject: Re: SV: Material to fill a box Ake, Some of the glues become (noticably) conductive over time (and temperature). The origin of my suggestion about waxes came from the fact that boards and individual components were frequently coated with waxes (beeswax maybe?) as conformal coatings in the days before silicone or acrylic conformal coatings (say, the 50s and early 60s). Additionally, I recall that core and coil neon light transformers were often encapsulated in tar (quite a mess and smelly too). Regards, Dave Ake Hedman wrote: {Quote hidden}>That is also a good idea. Anyone tested this? Experiences? > >Regards >/Ake > >-----Ursprungligt meddelande----- >Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list >[spamBeGonePICLISTEraseMEMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For Steve Kosmerchock >Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 23:10 >Till: PICLISTspamBeGoneMITVMA.MIT.EDU >Amne: Re: Material to fill a box > > >Have you thought about using a "hot glue gun"? > >Steve > >Ake Hedman <RemoveMEakhe@spam@spamBeGoneEUROSOURCE.SE> wrote: >Hi all, > >I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about >filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give >them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling >material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > >Regards >/Ake > >--- >Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) >eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden >Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 >Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: >http://can.sourceforge.net >Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? >Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email .....listserv@spam@EraseMEmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Have to be careful with paraffin wax with certain components. If the wax is too hot it could overheat some parts, melt some plastics, or ooze into a relay. OTOH it can give quite a nice plume during the "smoke test". I have used a mixture of paraffin wax melted with "Lionel-Train smoke liquid" to coat transformers and pass transistors, gives a really graphic indication when things are being pushed too hard. KF4HAZ - Lonnie ----- From: <llile@S {Quote hidden}> Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It > is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of > heat. Beats silicon rubber, which sometimes contains acetic acid and eats > copper. We used to fill outdoor sensor boxes with paraffin wax all the > time. > > > -- Lawrence Lile > > > > > > David Minkler <.....minkRemoveMELUXTRON.COM> > Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list <.....PICLISTSTOPspam@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU> > 06/17/2004 06:45 PM > Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list > > > To: PICLISTEraseME@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU > cc: > Subject: Re: SV: Material to fill a box > > > Ake, > > Some of the glues become (noticably) conductive over time (and > temperature). The origin of my suggestion about waxes came from the > fact that boards and individual components were frequently coated with > waxes (beeswax maybe?) as conformal coatings in the days before silicone > or acrylic conformal coatings (say, the 50s and early 60s). > Additionally, I recall that core and coil neon light transformers were > often encapsulated in tar (quite a mess and smelly too). > > Regards, > > Dave > > Ake Hedman wrote: > > >That is also a good idea. Anyone tested this? Experiences? > > > >Regards > >/Ake > > > >-----Ursprungligt meddelande----- > >Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list > >[RemoveMEPICLISTspamBeGoneMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For Steve Kosmerchock > >Skickat: den 17 juni 2004 23:10 > >Till: spamBeGonePICLISTKILLspam@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU > >Amne: Re: Material to fill a box > > > > > >Have you thought about using a "hot glue gun"? > > > >Steve > > > >Ake Hedman <akhespam_OUT@spam@EUROSOURCE.SE> wrote: > >Hi all, > > > >I am making some DIN modules for control purposes and think about > >filling them with something to keep the wires etc in place plus give > >them some extra weight. I have looked around for electronic filling > >material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn > >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? > > > >Regards > >/Ake > > > >--- > >Ake Hedman (YAP - Yet Another Programmer) > >eurosource, Brattbergavdgen 17, 820 50 LOS, Sweden > >Phone: 46 657 413430 Cellular: 46 730 533146 > >Company home: http://www.eurosource.se CAN: > >http://can.sourceforge.net > >Personal homepage: http://www.eurosource.se/akhe -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spamBeGonelistserv@spam@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

At 09:23 AM 6/18/2004 -0500, RemoveMEllileEraseMEKILLspamSALTONUSA.COM wrote: >Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of heat. Beats silicon rubber, which sometimes contains acetic acid and eats copper. We used to fill outdoor sensor boxes with paraffin wax all the time. It also doesn't significantly affect tuned circuits, so it's used to secure tuning components from vibration. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spamBeGonelistservspam_OUTRemoveMEmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

llile@SALTONUSA.COM 16:23 2004-06-18: >Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It >is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of >heat. Beats silicon rubber, which sometimes contains acetic acid and eats >copper. Most (not all) one-component silicone glues etc react with water vapour in the air and produce acid. Theese are not intended for electronics and such. There exist two component silicones that are the best you can get even for high voltage encapsulaotins. > We used to fill outdoor sensor boxes with paraffin wax all the >time. I have seen it crack of low temperature when it is pretty nonflexible and have high contraction/temperature coefficient (what is the english term?) /Morgan -- Morgan Olsson, Kivik, Sweden -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email .....listservRemoveMEmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Maybe you can try the fast-filling foam use for packing, or those for filling up seam for water-proofing purpose. The water-proofing foam can be purchased through hardware store. Let us know the outcome if you do try them. Cheers, Ling SM > Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It > is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of > heat. Beats silicon rubber, which sometimes contains acetic acid and eats > copper. We used to fill outdoor sensor boxes with paraffin wax all the > time. > > > -- Lawrence Lile -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-request@spam@mitvma.mit.edu

>Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It >is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of >heat. >It also doesn't significantly affect tuned circuits, so it's used to >secure tuning components from vibration. The compund used to secure tuned circuits is usually refined beeswax with or without rosin added (see my other post). It is harder and sticks better than paraffin wax, which tends to crack and flake off. Paraffin wax is what's in the 'tealight' candles. Because of the cracking problem it is granulated but that makes it unsuitable for sealing use. Tealight wax cast in any larger size will crack and have pitiful mechanical charcteristics. Beeswax is much better for this. Be very sure to use *refined* beeswax. This has the acidity adjusted. Unrefined wax will eventually leak fatty acids and such and may affect your circuit. Same goes for rosin. Refined rosin must be used. To make the rosin+wax compund, you melt rosin and add the wax while stirring. The result can be cast immediately or allowed to cool and reheated later. The rosin percentage affects the hardness of the resultant material. Both materials are flammable when liquid. Keep a lid handy to put out a flame on the pot and do not use an open flame for heating. DO NOT put out a wax/rosin fire with water. Use CO2. Also this thing will cause 3rd degree burns even when it looks cool. Beware. Peter -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList EraseMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestRemoveMESTOPspammitvma.mit.edu

I am amazed. This is also a *very* good one. I will try it out and report. Thanks again all for lending me a time slice of your brainpower. Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Från: pic microcontroller discussion list [spamBeGonePICLIST@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]För SM Ling Skickat: den 19 juni 2004 07:47 Till: RemoveMEPICLISTspam_OUTMITVMA.MIT.EDU Ämne: Re: SV: Material to fill a box Maybe you can try the fast-filling foam use for packing, or those for filling up seam for water-proofing purpose. The water-proofing foam can be purchased through hardware store. Let us know the outcome if you do try them. Cheers, Ling SM > Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It > is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of > heat. Beats silicon rubber, which sometimes contains acetic acid and eats > copper. We used to fill outdoor sensor boxes with paraffin wax all the > time. > > > -- Lawrence Lile -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestspammitvma.mit.edu -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList spam_OUTpiclist-unsubscribe-requestspam_OUTspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

Thanks Peter, suberb as always! Regards /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Fran: pic microcontroller discussion list [PICLISTspam_OUTMITVMA.MIT.EDU]For Peter L. Peres Skickat: den 19 juni 2004 04:56 Till: RemoveMEPICLISTKILLspam@spam@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Amne: Re: SV: Material to fill a box >Paraffin wax is an old technician's trick to keep water out of things. It >is noncondctive and noncorrosive. easy to remove with reapplication of >heat. >It also doesn't significantly affect tuned circuits, so it's used to >secure tuning components from vibration. The compund used to secure tuned circuits is usually refined beeswax with or without rosin added (see my other post). It is harder and sticks better than paraffin wax, which tends to crack and flake off. Paraffin wax is what's in the 'tealight' candles. Because of the cracking problem it is granulated but that makes it unsuitable for sealing use. Tealight wax cast in any larger size will crack and have pitiful mechanical charcteristics. Beeswax is much better for this. Be very sure to use *refined* beeswax. This has the acidity adjusted. Unrefined wax will eventually leak fatty acids and such and may affect your circuit. Same goes for rosin. Refined rosin must be used. To make the rosin+wax compund, you melt rosin and add the wax while stirring. The result can be cast immediately or allowed to cool and reheated later. The rosin percentage affects the hardness of the resultant material. Both materials are flammable when liquid. Keep a lid handy to put out a flame on the pot and do not use an open flame for heating. DO NOT put out a wax/rosin fire with water. Use CO2. Also this thing will cause 3rd degree burns even when it looks cool. Beware. Peter -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestspamBeGone.....mitvma.mit.edu -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList KILLspampiclist-unsubscribe-request.....mitvma.mit.edu

<Ake Hedman asked> > I have looked around for electronic filling > material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? I came across a relatively inexpensive rigid urethane from an outfit called GoldenWest (http://www.goldenwestmfg.com) -- lots of other outfits sell it too. It warms when curing but nothing unusual. The normal application is for architectural impediments, cast wall plaques and the like. I used it to cast protective bezels for some hardware. It cures in minutes and conceivably could be cast in such a way that it becomes the housing. Obviously there are a few questions about thermal properties, but it's a real good dielectric and seems quite inert. I'm tempted to try the stuff as a way to pot and enclose in one operation, but I've never actually done it. Win Wiencke Image Logic Corporation -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

This looks promising. /Ake -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Från: pic microcontroller discussion list [spam_OUTPICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU]För Win Wiencke Skickat: den 22 juni 2004 01:28 Till: RemoveMEPICLISTRemoveMEEraseMEMITVMA.MIT.EDU Ämne: Re: Material to fill a box <Ake Hedman asked> > I have looked around for electronic filling > material and obviously found the epoxy type. But it's so damn >expensive. Is there some lower cost material one can use? I came across a relatively inexpensive rigid urethane from an outfit called GoldenWest (http://www.goldenwestmfg.com) -- lots of other outfits sell it too. It warms when curing but nothing unusual. The normal application is for architectural impediments, cast wall plaques and the like. I used it to cast protective bezels for some hardware. It cures in minutes and conceivably could be cast in such a way that it becomes the housing. Obviously there are a few questions about thermal properties, but it's a real good dielectric and seems quite inert. I'm tempted to try the stuff as a way to pot and enclose in one operation, but I've never actually done it. Win Wiencke Image Logic Corporation -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

On Jun 21, 2004, at 11:34 PM, Ake Hedman wrote: > > I came across a relatively inexpensive rigid urethane from an outfit > called GoldenWest (http://www.goldenwestmfg.com) -- lots of other > outfits sell it too. Lots of this sort of thing (two part urethane resins) exist; "Alumilite" is the brand name product carried by many of the more serious hobby stores. Cheaper and broader products from places like http://www.bare-metal.com/ Most will foam if you add some water, although not in a particularly controlled fashion. Several product lines specifically include foams. And assorted fillers. Not a LOT cheaper than bulk epoxy resins, but faster and less viscous. BillW -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

i had good luck with a high voltage divider i made (i think 60 10meg resistors in series and a shunt across the meter terminals, all on perfboard in a plastic box) that i potted in paraffin wax from the grocery store, so i think it would likely work for most low power electronics, but i doubt it conducts heat very well. David Minkler wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Ake, > > Some of the glues become (noticably) conductive over time (and > temperature). The origin of my suggestion about waxes came from the > fact that boards and individual components were frequently coated with > waxes (beeswax maybe?) as conformal coatings in the days before silicone > or acrylic conformal coatings (say, the 50s and early 60s). > Additionally, I recall that core and coil neon light transformers were > often encapsulated in tar (quite a mess and smelly too). > > Regards, ---------- -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads