Soldering question for the more experienced

M

MattB

Guest
Hi, I've got a project that I'm working on and I'm having some trouble
with a solder joint. I'm adding an optical output to a Minidisc deck. It's a
low-cost deck and the output exists on the pricier models in this line. So
the circuitry is there, just no Toslink transmitter. I located a transmitter
and proceeded to try to solder it to the PCB. The holes were already there
and they were filled with solder. My plan was to just heat the existing
solder to insert the part. That wasn't working very well, so I ended up
cleaning out a couple of the holes with a sucker and tried to solder the
part in with new solder (flux filled "for electronics" solder).
The problem is, the new solder doesn't stick to the board, just the post
of the transmitter, making a lollipop-shaped stick with the lump of solder
at the top. It doesn't make a good connection. I figured I just needed to
buy some flux and clean that part of the board with it. The problem is, they
have no flux at my local RS (back by the guns in the local hardware store).
So I ask you experts, is this the right solution? Is there something
else I should do? Where can I order some flux from inexpensively in the USA?
Anything special to look for with flux for electronics projects?

Thanks!

--

Matt

"Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!"
 
It sounds like the pads are not being heated properly. When soldering, it
is important to use a small tip that can touch both the lead and the pad
simultaneously. A small bead of solder on the iron tip is also a requirement to
conduct heat to both items properly. Also, I recommend a 700 degree (F) tip for
most solder jobs.
Check my page and the soldering tutorial- not really an exhaustive one, but
useful.

Cheers!

Chip Shults
My robotics, space and CGI web page - http://home.cfl.rr.com/aichip
 
In article <bqg8d6$20c4f4$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de>,
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi, I've got a project that I'm working on and I'm having some trouble
with a solder joint. I'm adding an optical output to a Minidisc deck. It's a
low-cost deck and the output exists on the pricier models in this line. So
the circuitry is there, just no Toslink transmitter. I located a transmitter
and proceeded to try to solder it to the PCB. The holes were already there
and they were filled with solder. My plan was to just heat the existing
solder to insert the part. That wasn't working very well, so I ended up
cleaning out a couple of the holes with a sucker and tried to solder the
part in with new solder (flux filled "for electronics" solder).
The problem is, the new solder doesn't stick to the board, just the post
of the transmitter, making a lollipop-shaped stick with the lump of solder
at the top. It doesn't make a good connection. I figured I just needed to
buy some flux and clean that part of the board with it. The problem is, they
have no flux at my local RS (back by the guns in the local hardware store).
So I ask you experts, is this the right solution? Is there something
else I should do? Where can I order some flux from inexpensively in the USA?
Anything special to look for with flux for electronics projects?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
You're "cold-soldering", it sounds like to me. Heat the lead/pad, not
the solder. Done correctly, the solder will flow to where it's needed.
Done incorrectly, the result is much like what you describe: A solder
"lolipop" on the end of a component-lead stick.

It's also possible that there is no copper on the "back" side of the
board for the solder to grab - The actual connection may be either on
the other side of the board, or partway through, on an internal layer of
traces. You are aware that some electronic goods use boards with many
different layers, aren't you? 11 layers are the most I've ever
personally seen (And lord, what a pain to try to either solder or
desolder) on a single board, but there's no theoretical limit to how
many *COULD* be stacked up like a Dagwood sandwich.

--
Don Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net <--- Preferred Email - SpamAssassinated.
Hate SPAM? See <http://www.spamassassin.org> for some seriously great info.
I will choose a path that's clear: I will choose Free Will! - N. Peart
Fly trap info pages: <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/Horses/FlyTrap/index.html>
 
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bqg8d6$20c4f4$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de...
Hi, I've got a project that I'm working on and I'm having some trouble
with a solder joint. I'm adding an optical output to a Minidisc deck. It's
a
low-cost deck and the output exists on the pricier models in this line. So
the circuitry is there, just no Toslink transmitter. I located a
transmitter
and proceeded to try to solder it to the PCB. The holes were already there
and they were filled with solder. My plan was to just heat the existing
solder to insert the part. That wasn't working very well, so I ended up
cleaning out a couple of the holes with a sucker and tried to solder the
part in with new solder (flux filled "for electronics" solder).
The problem is, the new solder doesn't stick to the board, just the
post
of the transmitter, making a lollipop-shaped stick with the lump of solder
at the top. It doesn't make a good connection. I figured I just needed to
buy some flux and clean that part of the board with it. The problem is,
they
have no flux at my local RS (back by the guns in the local hardware
store).
So I ask you experts, is this the right solution? Is there something
else I should do? Where can I order some flux from inexpensively in the
USA?
Anything special to look for with flux for electronics projects?

Thanks!

--

Matt

Matt:
Click to expand...

Like Chip and Don said, but also, DON'T USE FLUX FROM THE STORE! It's highly
acidic and will eat the board away. Just use the flux/resin-cored solder,
and use a good soldering technique, as you're being advised. Good luck.

Ken
 
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqgdjm$1vfve9$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
snip
Matt:

Like Chip and Don said, but also, DON'T USE FLUX FROM THE STORE! It's
highly
acidic and will eat the board away. Just use the flux/resin-cored solder,
and use a good soldering technique, as you're being advised. Good luck.

Ken
Click to expand...
Thanks to all you guys. I'll try the methods mentioned and see how it goes.
I think it's just a single layer board, there's not really that much to it.

Matt
 
In article <bqg8d6$20c4f4$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de>,
somedudeus@yahoo.com mentioned...
Hi, I've got a project that I'm working on and I'm having some trouble
with a solder joint. I'm adding an optical output to a Minidisc deck. It's a
low-cost deck and the output exists on the pricier models in this line. So
the circuitry is there, just no Toslink transmitter. I located a transmitter
and proceeded to try to solder it to the PCB. The holes were already there
and they were filled with solder. My plan was to just heat the existing
solder to insert the part. That wasn't working very well, so I ended up
cleaning out a couple of the holes with a sucker and tried to solder the
part in with new solder (flux filled "for electronics" solder).
The problem is, the new solder doesn't stick to the board, just the post
of the transmitter, making a lollipop-shaped stick with the lump of solder
at the top. It doesn't make a good connection. I figured I just needed to
buy some flux and clean that part of the board with it. The problem is, they
have no flux at my local RS (back by the guns in the local hardware store).
So I ask you experts, is this the right solution? Is there something
else I should do? Where can I order some flux from inexpensively in the USA?
Anything special to look for with flux for electronics projects?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I think your main problem is that the soldering iron you're using
can't heat up the PC board enough, just the component leg. Get a
higher power soldering iron.

--
@@F@r@o@m@@O@r@a@n@g@e@@C@o@u@n@t@y@,@@C@a@l@,@@w@h@e@r@e@@
###Got a Question about ELECTRONICS? Check HERE First:###
http://users.pandora.be/educypedia/electronics/databank.htm
My email address is whitelisted. *All* email sent to it
goes directly to the trash unless you add NOSPAM in the
Subject: line with other stuff. alondra101 <at> hotmail.com
Don't be ripped off by the big book dealers. Go to the URL
that will give you a choice and save you money(up to half).
http://www.everybookstore.com You'll be glad you did!
Just when you thought you had all this figured out, the gov't
changed it: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/binary.html
@@t@h@e@@a@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@m@e@e@t@@t@h@e@@E@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@
 
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bqge8n$2258md$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de...
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqgdjm$1vfve9$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
snip
Matt:

Like Chip and Don said, but also, DON'T USE FLUX FROM THE STORE! It's
highly
acidic and will eat the board away. Just use the flux/resin-cored
solder,
and use a good soldering technique, as you're being advised. Good luck.

Ken



Thanks to all you guys. I'll try the methods mentioned and see how it
goes.
I think it's just a single layer board, there's not really that much to
it.

Matt


Matt, if this is a single sided board than how could you have solder in the
Click to expand...
holes?....What you need to do is to is heat the board and the wires at the
same time, then add the solder to the board. It should crawl up the wire and
form a fillet.......good luck, Ross
 
"Ross Mac" <this.is.a.fake@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:Joizb.144184$Ec1.5804741@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bqge8n$2258md$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de...
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqgdjm$1vfve9$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
snip
Matt:

Like Chip and Don said, but also, DON'T USE FLUX FROM THE STORE! It's
highly
acidic and will eat the board away. Just use the flux/resin-cored
solder,
and use a good soldering technique, as you're being advised. Good
luck.

Ken



Thanks to all you guys. I'll try the methods mentioned and see how it
goes.
I think it's just a single layer board, there's not really that much to
it.

Matt


Matt, if this is a single sided board than how could you have solder in
the
holes?....What you need to do is to is heat the board and the wires at the
same time, then add the solder to the board. It should crawl up the wire
and
form a fillet.......good luck, Ross

Matt:
Click to expand...

Check out any/all of these to verify your soldering technique:
http://www.robotstore.com/download/How_to_solder_1.pdf
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/7308016.pdf
http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm
http://www.emusician.com/ar/emusic_getting_connected/index.htm
http://www.smspower.org/smsreader/solder.html

etc

Cheers.

Ken
 
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqlcm3$2487mu$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"Ross Mac" <this.is.a.fake@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:Joizb.144184$Ec1.5804741@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bqge8n$2258md$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de...
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqgdjm$1vfve9$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
snip
Matt:

Like Chip and Don said, but also, DON'T USE FLUX FROM THE STORE!
It's
highly
acidic and will eat the board away. Just use the flux/resin-cored
solder,
and use a good soldering technique, as you're being advised. Good
luck.

Ken



Thanks to all you guys. I'll try the methods mentioned and see how it
goes.
I think it's just a single layer board, there's not really that much
to
it.

Matt


Matt, if this is a single sided board than how could you have solder in
the
holes?....What you need to do is to is heat the board and the wires at
the
same time, then add the solder to the board. It should crawl up the wire
and
form a fillet.......good luck, Ross

Matt:

Check out any/all of these to verify your soldering technique:
http://www.robotstore.com/download/How_to_solder_1.pdf
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/7308016.pdf
http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm
http://www.emusician.com/ar/emusic_getting_connected/index.htm
http://www.smspower.org/smsreader/solder.html

etc

Cheers.

Ken



Cool...pictures and everything.....that should get things happening for
Click to expand...
Matt......
 
"Ross Mac" <this.is.a.fake@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:%Kqzb.145829$Ec1.5842905@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqlcm3$2487mu$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"Ross Mac" <this.is.a.fake@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:Joizb.144184$Ec1.5804741@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bqge8n$2258md$1@ID-86156.news.uni-berlin.de...
"Ken Taylor" <ken123@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bqgdjm$1vfve9$1@ID-76636.news.uni-berlin.de...
"MattB" <somedudeus@yahoo.com> wrote in message
snip
Matt:

Like Chip and Don said, but also, DON'T USE FLUX FROM THE STORE!
It's
highly
acidic and will eat the board away. Just use the flux/resin-cored
solder,
and use a good soldering technique, as you're being advised. Good
luck.

Ken



Thanks to all you guys. I'll try the methods mentioned and see how
it
goes.
I think it's just a single layer board, there's not really that much
to
it.

Matt


Matt, if this is a single sided board than how could you have solder
in
the
holes?....What you need to do is to is heat the board and the wires at
the
same time, then add the solder to the board. It should crawl up the
wire
and
form a fillet.......good luck, Ross

Matt:

Check out any/all of these to verify your soldering technique:
http://www.robotstore.com/download/How_to_solder_1.pdf
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/7308016.pdf
http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm
http://www.emusician.com/ar/emusic_getting_connected/index.htm
http://www.smspower.org/smsreader/solder.html

etc

Cheers.

Ken



Cool...pictures and everything.....that should get things happening for
Matt......

A pictures worth 842 words (damn inflation.....)
Click to expand...

Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top