Nothing In Particular

[Greg]

Aaaarrrgh, it’s that time of year when motorists reach for the long forgotten rear fog light switch at the mere hint of mist let alone fog! In a stream of traffic, following each other and yet you can see the car in front not using fog lights what makes you think I won’t be able to see you! Then when the traffic stops let’s still keep the blooming things on and put the brake lights on as well for added effect Blood things should be banned.

Why do people not use the handbrake? Ever higher placed and super bright brake lights dazzling the driver behind for several minutes in traffic queues. Hard of thinking or bone idle? Such a pain especially when lighting up time falls late afternoon.

Yes, all very irritating and completely unnecessary, not to mention the idiots who now flash their lazar beam headlights at you to say thank you when you give way to them. In such circumstances, I make a point of looking away from the oncoming vehicle in anticipation the flash is coming, thus avoiding being dazzled. If drivers obeyed the Highway Code on both these issues, there wouldn’t be a problem.

[Michael L]

Cleaning PCBs - As far as I recall I've never done it before or after soldering. I assume modern fluxes deal with any grease on the board. Is there a need to clean a board that doesn't have bare copper tracks before or after populating assuming no obvious grime? All the pcbs I have used have been quite new.

[Michael L]

Cleaning PCBs - As far as I recall I've never done it before or after soldering. I assume modern fluxes deal with any grease on the board. Is there a need to clean a board that doesn't have bare copper tracks before or after populating assuming no obvious grime? All the pcbs I have used have been quite new.

Bugger - spoke too soon. IPA and leccy toothbrush in use.

[Mike H]

Yes. I've used VIM and a small brush with good results. Haven't got any tho so last time had to scrape. Must get some Vim.

Another useful thing to have is a small bottle of liquid flux.

[Michael L]

Had a bit of job with the psu boards I bought recently. Solder didn't want to flow very willingly. I wondered if there was some sort of residue on the pads. Scrubbing with the toothbrush using IPA didn't improve things. I've emailed the seller over on DIY Audio. Maybe I should have used an abrasive paste.

[Ray P]

Get yourself some of this;

https://www.rapidonline.com/servisol-61 ... ml-87-1164

I give boards a wipe over with it before soldering and than use it after soldering to remove the flux residue, sometimes using an old toothbrush for stubborn deposits. Makes cleaning PCBs easy but then it is designed for the job.

[simon]

Thanks for the recommendation Ray. I've never had any luck with IPA (of the non-beer sort) - just seems to smear the flux around.

[Mike H]

Bookmarked.

Why is it when you sign into the Rapid site nowadays you're first asked "What sort of Rapid customer are you?" And none of the options match? There's no "hobbyist" or "DIY". I usually put in "University", I'm not, but have to click something.

[Michael L]

Had a bit of job with the psu boards I bought recently. Solder didn't want to flow very willingly. I wondered if there was some sort of residue on the pads. Scrubbing with the toothbrush using IPA didn't improve things. I've emailed the seller over on DIY Audio. Maybe I should have used an abrasive paste.

Job accomplished after gentle scrubbing with my glass fibre pencil.

[Ray P]

Thanks for the recommendation Ray. I've never had any luck with IPA (of the non-beer sort) - just seems to smear the flux around.

Technique I use to clean PCB after soldering parts is;

1. Spray board with the flux remover and lightly scrub with a toothbrush where there are stubborn deposits.
2. Let dry.
3. Spray board again and leave for a short time.
4. Pat dry with some kitchen towel (don't rub as you'll just shred the towel).
5. Job done.

That's how I cleaned these boards;



I use some of the cleaner and a cotton bud for things like switch tags.

[Dave the bass]

Why do people not use the handbrake? Ever higher placed and super bright brake lights dazzling the driver behind for several minutes in traffic queues. Hard of thinking or bone idle? Such a pain especially when lighting up time falls late afternoon.

Maybe because the car in front is an automatic and its only equipped with a 'parking' brake or summat?

I do still use indicators though, I think I'm the only person left in the world that still uses them or knows what they do. When did it become uncool to indicate? I'm very uncool.

[Mike H]

There's possibly a real fear that folks might get rammed up the back if traffic doesn't see the brake lights, i.e. vehicle is stopped. OK the traffic lights should be a clue, but how many trust other people to notice?

Thinking about it, I was also a foot brake holder. Nowadays I put it in neutral if it looks like going to be a few minutes. And use the handbrake. But, I tend to hold the brake pedal until someone else comes along and stops behind me.

Or it's just laziness. Especially if it's an automatic. In that case it's natural to have to hold it on the brake every time it's stopped else it will roll, and it becomes a habit.

[simon]

Thanks Ray.

Re. driving, sadly standards have declined considerably. If everyone's playing the same game it's a lot safer, but now there are lots of different games being played.

A car followed me for about a mile last week, never indicated once. When she pulled up behind me at traffic lights I could see she was looking and talking to the centre of her dash - it looked like she was on Skype or similar...

[jack]

Out here, the use of indicators is taken as a sign of weakness...

[ed]

Out here, the use of indicators is taken as a sign of weakness...

that's much the same as here then.....