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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

How do you Solder?

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Feb 16, 2009
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No this isn't a how to, nor do I need to know how to solder. I've just been having a little bit of trouble soldering from the diode to the board. So my question to you is:

What type of solder/soldering iron do you use?

Is there a way to solder and not hurt the diode (cold heat?)
 





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Dec 24, 2008
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Dont use cold heat it uses electrical sparky thingies to heat up the solder therefore killing your diode, I think? Someone correct me.
 
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Feb 23, 2009
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Nope you are right (first post).

The cold Heat Soldering Irons can "kill" many electrical projects!

If you are using a nice soldering iron eg. and adjustable temp or power then i would suggest putting it on its lower setting just enough to melt your solder.

If you are using a radio-shack soldering iron like i think you are. Avoid exposing the tip to the diode for too long as this will just heat it up.

Also what kind of solder are you using> try using a thinner gauge it might help alot

Gotwake424
 
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Well I'm using a radioshack soldering iron, correct and I'm using Electrical Silver Solder (thin stuff). but my problem is it gobs up on my soldering iron and doesnt transfer to the component. I bought some flux but i'm not sure what/how it is used. If someone can enlighten me maybe thats the key to my problem...
 

daguin

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pyrostic said:
Well I'm using a radioshack soldering iron, correct and I'm using Electrical Silver Solder (thin stuff). but my problem is it gobs up on my soldering iron and doesnt transfer to the component. I bought some flux but i'm not sure what/how it is used. If someone can enlighten me maybe thats the key to my problem...


There are several good tutorials on youtube. Basically, you put a little solder on the tip of your iron. Then using your iron, you put some on the ends of what you want to solder (tinning). Next, you put a little flux on the things you want to solder. You use something to hold the two things touching each other. "extra hands" or "helping hands" make soldering MUCH easier. Finally you get a little solder on your iron and just "touch" the wires. The flux will cause the solder to "flow" onto the wires.

Practice with an old circuit board until you can solder stuff together quickly. Then get started on your laser ;)

Peace,
dave
 
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k cuz i just fried 2 diodes... i suppose i can wait/practice until my 3rd gets here. I have to wait for Dr. Lava to get his drivers back before I can use this host anyways...
 
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id say a way to help prevent killing a diode so easily is using a heat sink across the legs of the diode but this can be kinda tuff since the legs are so short on most diodes but i personally use the system my work uses since it has to be up to government ipc standards is a serious beast for delicate soldering need

but if you dont have access to that kinda equipment i have then id say the next best thing to do is go down to your nearest computer salvage place buy a few junked or "salvaged" cd drives and practice on those

heres to hoping you can stop frying diodes lol
 
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Just be quick about soldering to the legs sheesh. Hell, these sleds are RoHS compliant, meaning they're using solder alloys that require higher heat than standard leaded solder. That means you have a decent heat buffer to solder wires or whatever to the pins before frying them; the diodes can really take a lot of punishment before dying. Just tin the diode leads and the wire before hand, make them touch, and quickly melt the solder between the two together.
 
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One good tip I can think of right away is heat travels up faster than down. So if you can put items you don't mind getting warm up and items you want cold down this will help.

Also you can buy a heatsink to attach to your items you want to protect and it will wick away heat. A friend of mine has one and it seems to work.

Next use the right tip for your iron for the job. Don't use a gun model to try to do delicate work.

Also make sure the surcfaces are clean so you don't have to heat up trash.
 
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The only reason heat might travel faster up than down is due to convection. In a heat-conducting wire it will make no difference.
 
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pyrostic said:
No this isn't a how to, nor do I need to know how to solder. I've just been having a little bit of trouble soldering from the diode to the board. So my question to you is:

What type of solder/soldering iron do you use?

Is there a way to solder and not hurt the diode (cold heat?)

my biggest problem was sticking the iron inbtween the aixiz module and the cap (on rkcstr driver)...
but i started soldering the diode on as a step to assembling the driver.... so i solder on the cap after the diode.

also try pretinning the pads on the board, and heating up the pads instead of the components or diode.....and flux helps tons.
 




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