Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Penetration problems

Hi Frank;

I don't mean to second guess you, and I suppose it doesn't matter since the terminals aren't expected to be exposed to the marine environment, but in general, bronze (copper + tin) is a better choice than brass (copper + zinc) because zinc is leached out of brass in the marine environment by galvanic action. In this application, I don't see a problem with brass. I don't know about their respective conductive properties, but I assume they're similar.

Generally, bronze is more expensive and harder to find, but here is a link for bronze fasteners:

http://www.ccfast.com/index.html

and for bronze threaded rod:

http://www.ccfasteners.com/cgi-local/browse.pl?type=topic&id=62&cart_id=4acd9f11ecf00d6dcc05056e76ac2cf9

I read with interest your use of ball valves for emergency shut-off for electrical through-hull connections. Very slick. I assume the valves are exercised regularly on a maintenance schedule?

Thanks for your descriptions... I can now visualize the hardware and fabrication.

Stan

In a message dated 6/7/2008 1:04:27 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, ShellyDalg@aol.com writes:

Hi Stan. Brass is what's on the shelf and conducts well. Copper is too soft and corrodes, plus I've never seem copper threaded rod, and stainless is less of a conductor than brass. Mostly though, it's on the shelf. Frank D.