Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

copper and aluminum

Andrew Hagen_2
Andrew Hagen_2 Member Posts: 236
in THE MAIN WALL
Actually, it's the aluminum that corrodes. It's a very low voltage electric circuit. If both metals are in contact with an electrolyte, the circuit is completed. If it's dry, it's like a battery with no cables connected.

From the sound of things, it might not be wise to let Brad drain his "electrolyte" near your bathroom baseboard. ;-)

Comments

  • Leo Galozo
    Leo Galozo Member Posts: 16
    Okay

    so we all know that aluminum clips eventually rot out copper tubing. So am I under the wrong impression when I look at convection baseboard? Are those fins not made of aluminum?

    Leo G
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    only if

    there is an electrolyte (sp) present. If the copper and aluminum are dry, as the outside of baseboard often is, then no electrolysis can take place.

    Even copper and aluminumn in a moist environment get along fairly well, think AC coils, radiators, evaporator coils, etc.

    Just don't add salt to the mix.

    hot rod

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    Worst yet

    > there is an electrolyte (sp) present. If the

    > copper and aluminum are dry, as the outside of

    > baseboard often is, then no electrolysis can take

    > place.

    >

    > Even copper and aluminumn in a moist

    > environment get along fairly well, think AC

    > coils, radiators, evaporator coils, etc.

    >

    > Just

    > don't add salt to the mix.

    >

    > hot rod

    >

    > _A

    > HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

    > 144&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

    > Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

    > "Find A Professional"_/A_



    DOG PEE the easy down home way to get alum fins off copper pipe. LOL J.Lockard
  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    Hot Rod- He Be Right

    Hot Rod nailed it -it all has to do with the presence of electrolytes. Also the salt comment? Salt is hygroscopic in addition to being unstable. It will absorb moisture from the air then get to work.
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
  • Darin Cook_5
    Darin Cook_5 Member Posts: 298
    HAH!!!

    > Hot Rod nailed it -it all has to do with the

    > presence of electrolytes. Also the salt comment?

    > Salt is hygroscopic in addition to being

    > unstable. It will absorb moisture from the air

    > then get to work.



    Darin

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Glenn Sossin_2
    Glenn Sossin_2 Member Posts: 592
    ok - I'll ask

    In what form might one expect to see an electrolyte that would affect the baseboard, or any other fin tube type product?
  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    Bathroom

    Right next to the toilet.

    C'mon. You know that.
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
  • bob_50
    bob_50 Member Posts: 306
    If your

    dog pisses on your condensing coil the fins disappear.
  • brucewo1b
    brucewo1b Member Posts: 638
    Depends

    on how often and how soon it rains
  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    The Moon

    Rises in the East....


    Do you have the microfilm, Comrade?

    :)
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,882
    The quick

    brown fix jumps over the lazy dog ... at midnight.

    Brad, maybe you should sit or eat less apsaragus.

    Scott

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    the strength of the electrolyte

    is the difference. Generally fresh potable water is a weak electrolyte, distilled or condensate, weaker yet, and steam will not act as an electrolyte.

    Salt water and acid are excellent electrolytes.

    A good example being your car battery. Drain the acid and the lights go out.

    So steam clean the baseboard next to the toilet or urinals for better HW baseboard life :)

    Or use the SlantFin board designed for this service.

    hot rod

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    I forgot about the Slant Fin product

    "A big hit with those who miss."
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
This discussion has been closed.

Categories