Re: [Gumstix-users] R: R: R: R: problems with etherstix

[<tim...@co...>]

The even bigger problem besides the higher temp is the wiskers
that grow and cause shorts.  This problem is so bad than the
military requires Pb (lead) on the leads and in the solder.  The effect
is elevated in ET products.

Tim


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Craig Hughes <cr...@gu...>
> On Jan 20, 2007, at 10:48 AM, Patrizio Bruno wrote:
> 
> > This is because the guys making the boards aren't
> > heating things up enough (the lead free solder has a higher melting
> > temp that leaded solder - about 50F higher if I recall correctly).
> 
> I know from hand-soldering some stuff using the unleaded stuff in a  
> cold garage this winter, that it's a really pain the neck.  You can  
> hold an 800F iron on a piece of solder and just about get it to melt  
> when ambient is ~30F, but then as soon as you touch the molten solder  
> to anything (component, wire, board, some slightly colder air...) it  
> immediately re-solidifies.  It was miserable.  I think one side- 
> effect of the RoHS regulations is going to be a huge increase in the  
> use of space heaters, leading to a marked increase in fossil fuel  
> burning in order to make the garages/solder shops of the world a  
> little warmer.  Toxic landfills or greenhouse gasses: take your  
> choice Europe ;)
> 
C