Important! New lead free Solder causing failures in amps!

[Jordon]

The military and medical industry don't have to use the silver (Rohs) solder. That alone speaks volumes on how crappy the new solder is.

The biggest telltale sign is that the aerospace industry is not required to used it either. Why? I'll bet it has something to do with planes falling out of the sky....
We do work for all 3, military and aerospace mostly, and some medical. While everybody else was scrambling to make sure everything was lead free, we were business as usual. I just got trained to be trainer at my company for IPCA-610, Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies, and found out that another big problem is that the parts that are now lead free may not play well with lead. This is definitely going to be a problem.

As for the banning of incandescent light bulbs, I believe that there was a discussion about that here in Canada until someone pointed out the mercury content in the replacement bulbs that the government was going to subsidize, if you believe what you read!

The last I heard (keeping in mind I stopped paying attention when I was told my position was no longer needed...fuckers) the EU was considering LED replacements for light bulbs.

And yea, there's much, much more that goes into this than just solder.

 

[jkdsteve]

I had an earlier Egnater M4 that didn't have the green RoHS sticker on..I swear it sounded better..or maybe the sticker fell off

 

[thiswaythatway]

It's been reported on TGP that TAG claims he can hear the difference between amps using Lead, and a lead-free solder.

 

[glpg80]

It's been reported on TGP that TAG claims he can hear the difference between amps using Lead, and a lead-free solder.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=53583

 

[titanamps]

gene, if you'll send me your fish, i'll replace your shitty solder with NOS leaded solder

i still use leaded solder, and will continue to do so as long as i can obtain it. if it starts to look like they're going to force this lead free deal even on solder, i will buy a metric butt ton of it.

 

[EXPcustom]

It's been reported on TGP that TAG claims he can hear the difference between amps using Lead, and a lead-free solder.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=53583

Thats a link to a article that the cocaine now a days sucks.

I thought everyone knew that.

Is there a topic over there because I did not see it?

 

[glpg80]

It's been reported on TGP that TAG claims he can hear the difference between amps using Lead, and a lead-free solder.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=53583

Thats a link to a article that the cocaine now a days sucks.

I thought everyone knew that.

Is there a topic over there because I did not see it?

was meant to be a general statement, not literal of course

 

[EXPcustom]

It's been reported on TGP that TAG claims he can hear the difference between amps using Lead, and a lead-free solder.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=53583

Thats a link to a article that the cocaine now a days sucks.

I thought everyone knew that.

Is there a topic over there because I did not see it?

was meant to be a general statement, not literal of course

Oh gotcha.

 

[blackba]

I warned people about this 2 1/2 years ago. Nobody thought much of it then. They're working on conformal coatings that would keep the whiskers to a minimum, but you cannot get rid of them. It's the tin and silver used instead of the lead. Also, I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk in general about the EU starting to ban incandescent lightbulbs...this will also be coming to the US. The good part is that the last time I checked, there is no official RoHS to Environmental Compliance law in the US (aside from California, who has had it for years), meaning if you build a product in the US and do not export it to Europe, Japan, China, Korea, South America or Australia, then you can still used leaded solder. The flip side is, if a product is built in China and has lead in it above standards, they cannot sell it within their borders, but they can export it...to us....one of the last countries without law regarding this. Hence the leaded products coming from China recently.

My job used to be RoHS Research and Part Replacement Technician. I used to be able to recite that piece of legislature by rote.

ROHS has been a pain in the neck from the start. Pretty much all components have been converted to ROHS compliant. Thankfully you can still use leaded solder with ROHS components. Last I checked with our supplier there was still a small premium to go ROHS process, so for boards for the North America, we are not going that way. Obviously for any exported product we have to go ROHS. This is a non-musical related product.

Conformal coating is not great for the environment either, its pretty toxic. Its not like potting is much better, so we have traded one thing for another. The conformal coating continues to out gas as it cures, I am sure those fumes are very good for you

If you do have to work with Lead free solder, make sure to turn up the temp on your soldering iron.

I have not seen the reports on long term reliability with leaded versus lead free solder, have you seen them?

 

[Jordon]

I warned people about this 2 1/2 years ago. Nobody thought much of it then. They're working on conformal coatings that would keep the whiskers to a minimum, but you cannot get rid of them. It's the tin and silver used instead of the lead. Also, I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk in general about the EU starting to ban incandescent lightbulbs...this will also be coming to the US. The good part is that the last time I checked, there is no official RoHS to Environmental Compliance law in the US (aside from California, who has had it for years), meaning if you build a product in the US and do not export it to Europe, Japan, China, Korea, South America or Australia, then you can still used leaded solder. The flip side is, if a product is built in China and has lead in it above standards, they cannot sell it within their borders, but they can export it...to us....one of the last countries without law regarding this. Hence the leaded products coming from China recently.

My job used to be RoHS Research and Part Replacement Technician. I used to be able to recite that piece of legislature by rote.

ROHS has been a pain in the neck from the start. Pretty much all components have been converted to ROHS compliant. Thankfully you can still use leaded solder with ROHS components. Last I checked with our supplier there was still a small premium to go ROHS process, so for boards for the North America, we are not going that way. Obviously for any exported product we have to go ROHS. This is a non-musical related product.

Conformal coating is not great for the environment either, its pretty toxic. Its not like potting is much better, so we have traded one thing for another. The conformal coating continues to out gas as it cures, I am sure those fumes are very good for you

If you do have to work with Lead free solder, make sure to turn up the temp on your soldering iron.

I have not seen the reports on long term reliability with leaded versus lead free solder, have you seen them?

Honestly, reports on long-term reliability were what made my job hell. It's all conflicting information.

Also, yea, if you have to work with Pb-free solder, just turn the temp of the iron up. You'll have to work a bit faster so you dont fry components, but once you're used to it, you can actually get good solder joints.