G+_Joshua Delaughter Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Rate my soldering? I'm new to soldering, and attempting to solder the power leads from the battery connector to the PDB. It seems that the wires are much bigger than the lads are, but here is where I'm at so far. I know it's not pretty, but wondering if this is the infamous cold joint I hear about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joshua Delaughter Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 I'm just noticing how big of a glob is on the negative wire, any tips on cutting tomb is down with such a large wire in such a small pad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Robert Ilbrink Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Not bad if you're new to soldering. I know this is not easy, so here are my observations. I notice that it seems more glued than soldered. I miss the "flow"of the tin. You might try to: use a little resin flux (never ever use plumbers flux), use a little less tin (like the red joint), a tiny longer heat exposure so the tin really flows and make sure the joint is kept absolutely still whilst cooling (use 3rd hands clamp). Experiment with some old worthless equipment to get the hang of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Phillips Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Yeah it's got that look, might be fine but it only takes a few seconds to re do it. For peace of mind. If you don't have one, a solder sucker is a great investment I use them all the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 I'll do an example on a future KH -- The easiest way to do a job like this is to tin the leads and pre-dab the pad. Then you re-flow the pad, touch the lead to it, wait till IT flows, then remove heat and let it solidify. But if it works, you've done a bang-up job for a beginner! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ronald Stepp Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Just remember, the basic idea is to make the wire the same temperature as the joint. A liquid flux is great because it is easy to apply and brings the temperatures up faster and more evenly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Larry Havenstein Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Generally a cold solder joint won't be shiny but will look dull and grainy. Your joints are shiny from what I see but just have too much solder. However that said as long as the solder isn't bridging across the pads its quite usable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Aaron Kimmins Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Looks ok for a new person...could always remove solder and reapply...you'll get good pretty quick. And flux is your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joshua Delaughter Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 Thanks for all of the tips guys, I re worked it and while it's probably not going to win any awards I think it'll do the job. This was the only PDB board I have now, so I won't practice too much on it, but I think I will find some old electronics to toucher :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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