I thought I'd start a thread for the many problems I'd encounter. I just started soldering and am already extremely frustrated. I watched the video on how to solder to the power switch without melting it multiple times and I just attempted it but the switch melted before the solder started to flow. I put my iron touching the wire and the lug for around 1 second and tried to solder but it wouldn't flow. So I tried a little longer and it melted. How am I supposed to do this properly? It seems impossible as it's too hot and melts the switch but too cold for solder to flow.
My Build Log (Frustration) [resolved]
- Thread starter Kurjok
- Start date
fullheadofnothing
Moderator
What kind of solder are you using? What is the iron? How did the five previous solder joints go?
Do you have the iron turned all the way up? (You should)
If the switch melted before the solder flowed, the iron is probably not hot enough.
If the switch melted before the solder flowed, the iron is probably not hot enough.
Make sure the iron tip is well tinned. You might also try very lightly sanding the terminal surfaces of the replacement switch with fine sandpaper or an emery board before you solder them. Sometimes that will help the solder to start flowing over the terminal.
My power switches arrived and a tried doing them again with my soldering iron on max and got it! Thank you for the help so far... got another question though. My resistance checks came out right and when I went to test voltage of terminal 4 I got a nice shock. What should I do now?
yes this is just a soldering mistake on your part. once you get some experience soldering you can easily determine what size tip, temperature, will best suit the joint. then as others have stated, tin the wire, the tab, and the tip of your iron just before attempting to solder. you want to solder quickly, and once you see the joint has turned to a nice shiny joint that's filled in sort of like a small bubble but less so on vertical joints.
also another helpful tip is to use extra flux sometimes if you're not using the correct temp, tip, etc, the extra flux can help flow the solder nicely into a strong joint. I use denatured alcohol and a small brush or q tip to wipe the flux afterward. another tip is to use heat shrink on the ends of the wire to avoid melting the jacket, though this shouldn't be an issue if you have the right equipment, temp and skill but it's still a nice touch.
if you plan to solder a lot I recommend the hakko fx888d soldering station with some different sized genuine hakko tips. this kit is temp controlled and is very high quality and makes soldering a joy.
also another helpful tip is to use extra flux sometimes if you're not using the correct temp, tip, etc, the extra flux can help flow the solder nicely into a strong joint. I use denatured alcohol and a small brush or q tip to wipe the flux afterward. another tip is to use heat shrink on the ends of the wire to avoid melting the jacket, though this shouldn't be an issue if you have the right equipment, temp and skill but it's still a nice touch.
if you plan to solder a lot I recommend the hakko fx888d soldering station with some different sized genuine hakko tips. this kit is temp controlled and is very high quality and makes soldering a joy.
Did you get shocked, or was there a spark? If you got shocked, what were you touching when it happened? If you got a spark, you probably slipped and touched the probe on 4 and 3. Sometimes it's helpful to wrap a piece of tape around all but the very tip of the red probe on your meter.Kurjok said:
-PB
