I use an aquarium heater with built-in thermostat. The liquid, about two liters, is in a thermal beverage container with the original cover removed, so heat loss is mainly on the free surface.
For storage i wrap a plastic bag over it, inverted, and a rigid cover on top of that. Haven't had any corrosion problems since then.
--- On Mon, 1/25/10, Chris <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:
From: Chris <lcdpublishing@...>
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Etching boards in the cold of winter...
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 9:57 AM
Hi guys,
I used to etch my boards in the workshop during the winter months but after having a severe rust problem on a lot of tools and machines - no more indoor etching. I used to use Ferric Chloride but have switched to Cupric Chloride (made with hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid). During the summer months, the etching was fast, however, this past weekend it took 1 1/2 hours to etch a board. The temp outside was very close to freezing. I know that Ferric Chloride etch times could be accelerated with heat but don't know if heat affects Cupric Chloride.
I have been tinkering with isolation milling, however, I am not yet at the point where I can do it for a lot of the surface mount chips I am using.
I am wondering what you guys do in the Winter to have a fairly reasonable etch time?
Chris
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