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Adding Wires To Pins?

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Ok, I have fitted my diode in my Aixiz optics now and tested it using crocodile clips and it all works.

Next step is attaching the wires to the + and - pin on the diode... Only trouble is there is a 1mm gap between each pin...

Any suggestions, or where I can even get a wire thin enough that can be attached?
 





I just use standard 22 AWG breadboard wires. I prefer using solid-core, but many here suggest using braided so that twisting can't cause the diode pins to break off (if I'm afraid of that, I just hot-glue it down).

Pre-tin (lightly coat with solder) the wires and the pins. Then take some helping hands and have one hold the axixz head with the diode in it, and have the other hand hold the wire touching the pin. Lightly touch the connection between the two to have their solder melt and connect, and then do the same with the other one. The 1mm or whatever is more than enough space.
 
Bionic-Badger said:
Pre-tin (lightly coat with solder) the wires and the pins.  Then take some helping hands and have one hold the axixz head with the diode in it, and have the other hand hold the wire touching the pin.  Lightly touch the connection between the two to have their solder melt and connect, and then do the same with the other one.  The 1mm or whatever is more than enough space.

Sounds easier.

Can always use a vice to hold it.
 
I think the best wire to use is telephone line cable. Under the gray outer sheath, there are 4 to 6 strands of solid copper wire each with a different color insulation. I just use the ones that are black for -, & the red for +. If I have to make a jumper or anything else, I'll use the green or yellow strands.
 
Yeah, network cable wire is probably about 22-24 AWG and should be fine. Really any thin wire you have will be fine so long as you can get solder onto it. The vice might be okay, but having some positionable arms really does help get the wire right where you need it so you don't have to hassle about while soldering.
 
andy_con said:
do u need a video to show how to solder to a diode?
might as well if you want andy and get it stickied to help prevent diode deaths... i know you love to make educational videos :P
 
Another GREAT source for wires to solder onto your diode pins can be obtained at your local Radio Shack/Electronics parts stores. For just a few bucks, you can buy a bubble pack of about 15 or 20, variously colored, (or all white) LED'S, that have long straight solid core leads, that are just about, if not the same gauge as the pins on your diode. Just clip off the leads. You can use the whole lead or just 3/4 of it. If you only use 1/2 or 3/4 of the lead length, then you can still use the LED for its original function. It's a good, cheap, source for wires to make your diode pins longer. I usually use a piece of shrink tubing to cover the leads from the diode base, to where the attached wires insulation starts to prevent arcing or shorting of any kind :) rob 8-)
 
After you take one of these guys suggestion and added the wire..
Check the connection if it is good and no shorts, etc. I used the diode mode of my multimeter to check.

Any case after you confirm it's okay.. Epoxy the wires.. this way you never have to worry about the wires snapping off the pins or wires, causing a short.

Of course add the epoxy AFTER you installed the diode in a housing..
 
Ok, done!

Well it was driving me insane, I can't hold my hand steady long enough to get it to actually stay on the pin. So I got a guy here at work to do it for me haha.

Still needs testing mind. No one seams to understand the concept of heat + diode = death.
 
Lay off the coffee dude, or lay on it. :)

Are you using helping hands to hold both the wire and the diode in place, so that the only thing you have to hold steady is the soldering iron and solder?
 
Bionic-Badger said:
Lay off the coffee dude, or lay on it. :)

Are you using helping hands to hold both the wire and the diode in place, so that the only thing you have to hold steady is the soldering iron and solder?

I had the diode on the table, the wire in one hand and soldering iron in the other. Couldn't do it.
 
It may help your soldering efforts to use soldering paste. It is solder & flux together in a paste form. I use a toothpick to place a small amount on the wires to be soldered & then you only have to hold the soldering iron still, provided you are using "Helping Hands"
 


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