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CircuitWriterTM Precision Pen silver-based 4 grams by Caig Laboratories
Product DetailsManufacturer: Caig Laboratories Product features: - The CircuitWriter Pen is a highly conductive polymer for use on a variety of applications
- Draw traces on circuit boards, repair defective traces, make jumpers, shield electronics
- Draw traces on design prototype circuits and repair rear-window heater traces.
Tools and Hardware Reviews of CircuitWriterTM Precision Pen silver-based 4 gramsCustomer Review: Great but not cheap Summary: 5 Stars
First, shake this stuff really well before you use it and after every few seconds of use, otherwise you'll end up w/ less solids in the fluid when it is almost empty (still works but is thinner and runs easily).
I've used this to repair a few circuits. First one was my multitester - ammeter stopped working, opened it up and could see where some solder had flaked off the board where a connection was made with that instead of a trace in the board.
I've primarily used this as a solder substitute for assembling battery packs and making repairs where soldering was difficult or impossible. The product is almost like a conductive glue - it sets up pretty hard and with mild adhesion. If several coats are applied it does have decent strength, at least enough to handle the connection gently. Be sure to allow it to dry completely between coats and before testing or reinforcing the connection (its hardly conductive before drying, which is good if you screw up). Once it is set up I put a thin coat of jb weld over it to physically secure the connection.
This has allowed me to repair several devices that would otherwise have been junk, for example, a pet collar that could not be disassembled and had a broken power connection to the board. It is awesome for battery packs. I can wire them together instead of using AA battery holders, which are bulkier, restrict you to the shapes available and have a higher resistance. I just finished assembling nearly 200 nicad AAs and used less than two pens. Radioshack has this same product for $10.
I use it too fast for it to dry up on me. There is a thinner/cleaner available and the same stuff can be bought in little jars.
Wipe the tip before storing, store it with the tip pointed up and it won't get plugged. If it does, the body screws off and you can clean the tip with solvent.
One reviewer said the pen has a ball and dispenses too much fluid. It is not a ball, it is a little spring loaded plug.
I find the dispenser quite convenient but if you need to make VERY accurate traces you might want to put some on something else, like a coin, and then 'paint' it on by dabbing the pen in that little puddle and applying it to your board w/o pressing down hard enough to move the plug (or just use a toothpick, pin, etc.).
Description of CircuitWriterTM Precision Pen silver-based 4 gramsApply instant traces on most surfaces (epoxy, glass, plastic, metal). Draw traces on circuit boards, repair defective traces, make jumpers and shield electronics, design prototype circuits and repair rear-window heater traces. TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Color: Silver Binder: Acrylic Solids content by weight: 51.5% Density: 14.1 lbs/gal Electrical Resistance: < 0.017 ohm/sq/mil Shielding Performance: 76 Db Viscosity: 20-25 sec., 2 Zahn Cup @ 25 Oc Ideal Film Thickness: Between 0.4 and 1.0 mils Theoretical Coverage: 340 Sq ft/gal @ 1 mil VOC Content: 0.50 lbs/gal TYPICAL PROPERTIES WHEN DRIED: Sheet resistance: 0.017ohms/sq/mil (25 um) Attenuation: 76 Db Ink: Conductive Coatings: Conductive
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