Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

As you all know, starting July 1st the RoHS legislation for the countries in the
EU takes effect. Although the RoHS (sometimes ∗incorrectly∗ referred to as
'lead-free') requirement was targeted towards cell phones and computer monitors
being chunked into landfills, as of ∗right now∗ anything that is either an
"audio amplifier" or a "musical instrument" or "power supply" is under the RoHS
directive.

∗In general∗, equipment designed "to be in service at least 10 years" can be
petitioned to be exempt. The category "professional recording equipment" is
∗under consideration∗ (whatever THAT means).

I am going to contact my solder supplier (Kester) next week to see if they have
released "solder on a spool" (they call it wire solder) that can be used with a
standard soldering iron (the temperature MAY be different). If none is
available, then I WILL NOT be able to supply solder with MOTM kits. I can supply
∗everything else∗, because everything else IS RoHS COMPLIANT. The last 'piece of
the puzzle' was the pc board, and now all MOTM pc boards are run on a lead-free
process.

Now, notice I DID NOT SAY that MOTM was "lead free", I said it was RoHS
compliant. "Lead-free" is sort of tossed about, but the laws do NOT specify
"lead-free", they specify RoHS compliant which allows SOME lead.

So, I ∗strongly suggest∗ (cough cough) that EU MOTM kit builders acquire both
Kester 331 (organic) and Kester 245 (no clean) solder. 2 spools of each is a LOT
of solder (probably 100 modules worth). You want the 63/37 alloy. I have seen
recent solder prices ∗dropping∗.

For US customers: business as usual, except you CANNOT SELL a MOTM module built
with leaded solder overseas after July 1st.

The MOTM FRAC modules are also RoHS compliant.

Lastly: what about assembled MOTM modules? The MOTM-650 is OK. The others, as of
right now are NOT. If Kester does not have a hand-solderable compliant solder,
then I will have to use wave solder. IF I go to wave solder, the prices of
assembled modules will go up. Chances are, if this is the case I will not be
able to ship ∗assembled∗ MOTM modules to the EU :(

If you are in the EU and have assembled MOTM modules on order, you can rest
assured I am going to do everything I can to ship before July 1. EU customers
will get priority over US customers. If I cannot ship, the orders will be
cancelled. There is nothing I can do about it, sorry.

Maybe, the whole RoHS thing will be thrown out or at least pro audio equipment
can get an exemption. Stay tuned.

Paul S.