Copper radiator

**Finian** · #1 31 Jan 2004

Somebody near me manufactures copper radiators which seem like a good idea as they would transfer heat quickly. Any advice on use in the desert?

Thanks,

Finian

**ctc** · #2 5 Feb 2004

You can braze copper so I suppose repairs may be easier to effect in the field.

**kitmax** · #3 14 Feb 2004

Land Rover Disco's run cool in hot places, and I would be disinclined to change the manufacturer's specification.
Other makers? I don't know, but stick with standard parts and standard specification and you won't go far wrong, IMHO
Bon Voyage! Kit

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Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com

**A.B.** · #4 16 Apr 2004

CTC, how would you braze copper in the field? what fuel would you use?

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A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
Coordinates Converter – Lat/Long <-> UTM Conversion Tool.

**Roman** · #5 16 Apr 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by A.B.:
CTC, how would you braze copper in the field? what fuel would you use?

Hello A.B.

Copper can be easily soldered. Brazing copper is possible but gives no real advantage over tin. There are many ways and tools to do it. You can use solder wire, ready made solder paste, tin bars + flux. Heating up the piece can be done with Propane/Butane screw-on cannister (that doubles as a gas cartdidge for a Primus camping stove). A blower torch head is pretty small and lightweight and can be used for other jobs equiring concetrated heat.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

**A.B.** · #6 18 Apr 2004

I was hoping there would be an alternative to propane that’s easy to carry since propane isn’t that efficient. Propane’s fuel temperature without mixing it with oxygen (what you usually get in the screw-on canister) is around 1300º C. Brazing needs a temperature of around 1200º C. Pretty close, also for reasons beyond my limited chemistry knowledge, the hydrogen in the air makes brazing or welding with propane a real pane. Soldering on the other hand can be done with propane since it needs a fuel temperature of only 450º C.

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A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
Coordinates Converter – Lat/Long <-> UTM Conversion Tool.