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#1
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Shielded mic cable corrosion issue
I am making an audio cable from a used mic cable. It looks like a
decent enough cable: braided shielding, paper and cotton threads, and 2 signal wires in good condition. The shielding though, looks green and feels waxy. My question is: is it corroded and useless, or has it been treated in some way and can it be cleaned so that connectors (1/4" jacks) can be soldered on? If so: what would the appropriate solvent be? Thanks for your help. |
#2
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wrote in message oups.com... I am making an audio cable from a used mic cable. It looks like a decent enough cable: braided shielding, paper and cotton threads, and 2 signal wires in good condition. The shielding though, looks green and feels waxy. My question is: is it corroded and useless, or has it been treated in some way and can it be cleaned so that connectors (1/4" jacks) can be soldered on? If so: what would the appropriate solvent be? Thanks for your help. Just a thought, have you tried cutting the cable ends back just a bit, corrosion may have just effected the exposed ends especially if its been stored long-term in a non ideal situation i.e. salt atmosphere nearby ocean. The green may be verdigris due to copper corrosion but I'm not sure about that waxy feel. Mike |
#3
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Hi Mike, I know what you mean and I tried it. I cut back 4 inches but
I saw no difference. |
#4
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wrote in message ups.com... Hi Mike, I know what you mean and I tried it. I cut back 4 inches but I saw no difference. Hi, The only other thing I can suggest is to carefully tease out the braiding at the terminations and use fine emery cloth to remove the corrosion and tin the ends prior to making a soldered connection. But is it really worth the effort if it really is corrosion? What quantity of cable is there? Will it be used in an important location where reliability is important? It may end up as false economy by using corroded cable at all. Mike |
#5
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Hi Mike: I agree with your views. However, the original question was
asked to find out if maybe there is some sort of waxy corrosion protection that can be removed so the cable can be put to good use. If that would be mistaken for corrosion it would be a waste to throw the cable away. If it IS corrosion, I have no qualms about buying new. Thanks for your comments. |
#6
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wrote in message
oups.com Hi Mike: I agree with your views. However, the original question was asked to find out if maybe there is some sort of waxy corrosion protection that can be removed so the cable can be put to good use. A waxy coating over green, corroded copper requires at least two steps. First you get rid of the waxy coating with a solvent, probably petroleum-distillate based, and then you get rid of the corrosion on the copper with fine sandpaper (150 grit or so). Seems like a lot of work given that when you're all done, you have an old mic cable that might also be stiffening up. If that would be mistaken for corrosion it would be a waste to throw the cable away. If it IS corrosion, I have no qualms about buying new. Thanks for your comments. Given what good mic cable costs, when in doubt, just buy new. |
#7
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I think I will. Thanks.
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#8
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Hi Mike: I agree with your views. However, the original question was
asked to find out if maybe there is some sort of waxy corrosion protection that can be removed so the cable can be put to good use. If that would be mistaken for corrosion it would be a waste to throw the cable away. If it IS corrosion, I have no qualms about buying new. Thanks for your comments. You could try some form of solvent (e.g. acetone) on the braid, and see if it removes the green coating. I'd be concerned that any solvent which would remove a waxy coating might also damage the insulation around the center conductor. If you do try a solvent, take all appropriate safety precautions. I've seen conductors and braid turn green over a period of time, in wires and cables which were manufactured with certain types of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) insulation. I've read that this is due to the tendency of certain PVC formulations to "outgas" a small amount of chlorine over a period of years - this excess chlorine combines with the copper to form a patina of copper chloride. -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! |
#9
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#10
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"Dave Platt" wrote in message
I've seen conductors and braid turn green over a period of time, in wires and cables which were manufactured with certain types of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) insulation. I've read that this is due to the tendency of certain PVC formulations to "outgas" a small amount of chlorine over a period of years - this excess chlorine combines with the copper to form a patina of copper chloride. One of the worst cases I ever had of this was with Monster Cable. |
#11
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This seems the most likely explanation why the screen is green all
along the entire length of the cable. Also the green stuff is not uniform enough (on closer inspection) to be lacquer as was also suggested. I will not use the cable and just buy new. Thanks to all for your contributions. HarryD |
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