Hey Guys,
I am a beginner at soldering, so I have been soldering wires together, and random wires to a circuit board for some practice. I felt I was ready to assemble my test load kit from rckstr. I didn't have any fine tipped tweezers, and the parts were smaller than I realized, but I think i got it all soldered properly (doesn't really look that great though). Even though it doesn't look fantastic, I am very happy I was able to make it.
I now want to solder the wires to my diode pins (PHR-803T). The problem is, when I was making wire to wire joints, they didn't turn out that great, no matter how many i did. My technique was to strip each wire end, roll the strands around to form a single thick strand, and intertwine each thick strand around the other. After that, put the iron directly to the strands and feed solder into (extremely close to the tip) the strands. I figured soldering pin to wire connections would be similar, but I didnt know for sure, and certainly dont feel like breaking my diode. I know almost everyone on here has broken a diode at least once, and im sure I will do it as well but I was wondering if someone could explain in as much detail as possible how to go about soldering a wire to the diode pin.
Things I have read on the forum :
1. Put the diode IN the housing + Heatsink in order to absorb heat during the solder process.
2. Limit your soldering to 1 to 2 seconds on the diode.
3. Use a low wattage iron
4. Use alligator clips to absorb even more heat (where exactly do i connect these alligator clips?)
As for my equipment, I do not have flux or liquid flux, the only flux I am using is in my solder. I'm using 60/40 standard solder, and using a variable 0-50 watt soldering iron (which I have on setting 4/10) so im guessing its 20 watts.
One last question... I have purchased some arctic silver thermal paste to put between my heatsink and axis module. I have built many PC's over the years and am familar with how to apply it to a CPU. The axis module and inside of the heatsink is round however, and I definately wont be able to fit a razor blade or card there to smooth out the surface and ensure only a thin coat is there. Does anyone have any good techniques for applying this?
Any input is greatly appreciated,
Thanks for your help!
- Redfeast
I am a beginner at soldering, so I have been soldering wires together, and random wires to a circuit board for some practice. I felt I was ready to assemble my test load kit from rckstr. I didn't have any fine tipped tweezers, and the parts were smaller than I realized, but I think i got it all soldered properly (doesn't really look that great though). Even though it doesn't look fantastic, I am very happy I was able to make it.
I now want to solder the wires to my diode pins (PHR-803T). The problem is, when I was making wire to wire joints, they didn't turn out that great, no matter how many i did. My technique was to strip each wire end, roll the strands around to form a single thick strand, and intertwine each thick strand around the other. After that, put the iron directly to the strands and feed solder into (extremely close to the tip) the strands. I figured soldering pin to wire connections would be similar, but I didnt know for sure, and certainly dont feel like breaking my diode. I know almost everyone on here has broken a diode at least once, and im sure I will do it as well but I was wondering if someone could explain in as much detail as possible how to go about soldering a wire to the diode pin.
Things I have read on the forum :
1. Put the diode IN the housing + Heatsink in order to absorb heat during the solder process.
2. Limit your soldering to 1 to 2 seconds on the diode.
3. Use a low wattage iron
4. Use alligator clips to absorb even more heat (where exactly do i connect these alligator clips?)
As for my equipment, I do not have flux or liquid flux, the only flux I am using is in my solder. I'm using 60/40 standard solder, and using a variable 0-50 watt soldering iron (which I have on setting 4/10) so im guessing its 20 watts.
One last question... I have purchased some arctic silver thermal paste to put between my heatsink and axis module. I have built many PC's over the years and am familar with how to apply it to a CPU. The axis module and inside of the heatsink is round however, and I definately wont be able to fit a razor blade or card there to smooth out the surface and ensure only a thin coat is there. Does anyone have any good techniques for applying this?
Any input is greatly appreciated,
Thanks for your help!
- Redfeast
