soldering diodes with 15w iron

• Sep 22, 2009

• #1

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Schnoogledeck

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Is it a bad idea to use a cheap 15 watt soldering iron from RadioShack to solder wires to the diode pins? I mean, is it enough watts to do a quick enough job to not cause heat damage to the diode? The diode will be in an AiziZ module when i do it for at least some heatsinking.

Sorry if this was asked before; I couldn't find it anywhere.

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #2

ndrew2505

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i use a 20w iron. just keep it moving whenever possible and also if possible hold the diode in your fingers. that way you can tell if your overheating it. if its too hot to hold then you run the risk of killing it.

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #3

daguin

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If you "pre-tin" the wires and pins, and use some flux, all it takes is a VERY short "touch" (about one second or less) of the iron to make the connection. Use some "extra hands" to hold everything steady.

Peace,
dave

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #4

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GreenMachine

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in the rkcstr manual he specifies a 15W iron when making connections i believe.

im thinking of buying the gear now and getting some practice in myself.

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #5

Gryphon

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I've always used a 30W iron and never had a diode fail from excessive heat. I alway pre-tin the leads and use a pair of helping hands as daguin mentioned

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #6

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Schnoogledeck

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Oh, I'll tin the connections, no doubt
I just haven't had to solder directly to the diode myself yet, so I just wanted to make sure that it's not so sensitive that it'll break if it takes a few seconds, if I need that long
I'm a decent solder-er, so I'm not super worried

Thanks for the tips

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #7

lasersbee

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A slightly Hotter Iron will allow you to make quicker solder joints
that seems to stress the parts a little less..

BTW... tinning the leads before actually making a connection is a MUST...
as is Solder Flux... either in Solder Core or external type...IMO

Jerry

 

Last edited: Sep 22, 2009

• Sep 22, 2009

• #8

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Schnoogledeck

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Yeah, I've been thinking that I'll get a nicer 25w someday in the future...
My solder is rosin core solder, but I also have some flux paste that i use sometimes, too.

I always tin the leads on anything i solder

 

• Sep 22, 2009

• #9

daguin

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Rated solder time for most diodes is 3 seconds. Many will survive with heating beyond that time, but that is the industry standard to eliminate heat damage from soldering.

Peace,
dave