ANSWERED All hardware I need for RGH?

[TheSwede86]

Hi!

Sorry for this noobish post but I've read the "stickies" and it does not say anything about the h/w so I'll ask away:

I am thinking about buying this:

1x Soldering Iron w. small tip
1x Lead-Free Solder (as I understand flux is now included in the solder)

And now for the TX parts:

Xecuter CoolRunner kit (reset glitch mod) + cable + QSB for XBox 360 Phat
http://shop.01media.com/info.asp?ProductID=38787
(
This kit inludes:
Xecuter Coolrunner
Cable for XB360 phat
Cable for for XB360 Slim
...and additional:
NAND-X To CoolRunner JTAG Cable
SQB for XB 360 Phat)

and

NAND-X USB programmer
http://shop.01media.com/info.asp?ProductID=38567
(
Package contents:
NAND-X Programmer
NAND-X Pin Header Cable (Can Also Use without Pin Headers As A Wires Only Cable*)
NAND-X QSB Install Cable
JTAG NON-XENON Cable
JTAG XENON Cable
NAND-X QSB J1D2
NAND-X QSB J2B1
JTAG J1F1 QSB (XENON Only)
JTAG J2D2 QSB (All Motherboards)
USB Cable
)

I would really appreciate comments and answers if I got it all or if I missed something. Think extremely basic, like "You need an Xbox". Sure I've got an Xbox but perhaps I'm missing some necessary equipment for the soldering? I hope you get where I'm going, just want everything to be covered and don't miss anything and find it out when I'm in the process of doing the work.

Thank you very much in advance for your help - TheSwede86

 

[BL4K3Y]

You seem to have everything you need.

I will say that if you aren't competent with soldering, have somebody else do the install for you otherwise take your time and do a good job.

 

[axee44]

If you still wanting to have a go i'd reccomend getting a flux.
I use kestrel #951 flux pen and it does the trick. First RGH i've done was without using flux and all i can say is that is was a torture!!

 

[xaitra]

Agree with axe44, buy flux.
I would also recommend you to buy a magnifying glass if you don't have it.
The points are so much smaller than it can seem to be in the installation guides, so you will appreciate a magnifying glass.

I guess you're from Sweden as am I.
Had a hard time to find small volume of flux, I bought a no clean flux pen from Conrad for 99 SEK. It's worth it!

 

[Krafter]

The smaller the solder the better. 0.032 inch is almost to big. If you have bigger I suggest you don't proceed until you get smaller. It's really easy to make a mess with big solder.

 

[coolkiddj12]

Yes, i lost my console to a bad install. MAKE SURE your soldering skills are A+, it cant even be A

 

[DayvG]

As with what the other guys have said, flux is a must, a fine tip is a must, a magnifier is a must and take your time! I destroyed a vital point on my first console by jumping in head first! Good luck buddy........this [email protected]#t is addictive!

 

[Djirko]

Yes, i lost my console to a bad install. MAKE SURE your soldering skills are A+, it cant even be A

I must disagree with you. I was working on some soldering few years ago and came up with an idea, that i should try to make rgh. Got some old motherboard and practiced few times to solder and unsolder the chip. It was enough and i can say im not even an "A" solderer like you said, but with steady hands and right tools its possible almost for everyone

 

[2nd2none]

Seems you have the right tools Hardware wise dude.

Before you start,,,make sure your soldering skills are tight enough to hit small points.

Your "STBY_CLK (orange B wire off the CoolRunner) to R3B15 point on the mother board is an especially fun soder point to catch/expose the most novice of solderer's out.

And....as others have said take your time.

You got it in the bag

 

[TheSwede86]

Thank you very much for all your replies!

A few follow-up questions:

@axee44 & @xaitra

So extra flux seems to be a must even though it should be already added into the solder.

Regarding flux which one of these pens would be best?

http://goo.gl/viu3O
http://goo.gl/8y66u
http://goo.gl/nnyEv

(It's in swedish but the info is really straight forward and easy and there are not a lot of info about it, just wondering if there are any that are better suited for this type of soldering).

@krafter

0.032 inches seems to be around 0.8mm and I have 1.0mm solder (in diameter) so I need to get a more fine (smaller) solder?

---

Of course thanks to ALL that have answered and not just those I've mentioned above, all the tips and pointers you have given have been really helpful.

If you have any more or answers to the questions above please feel free to write them, even if you are not the person I've "asked" above.

Once again, thanks!

P.S

Found a magnifying glass like this:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/yk53.jpg
I know that it wont be able to hold the motherboard but it will be helpful anyway

Also my soldering iron has a fine tip so that should be sorted as well

 

[rs250]

Not a bad idea to get some solder-wick... and practice using it as well.

 

[KhaineGB]

You want roughly a 0.8mm tip, but smaller would be better if possible.

Fine solder is also a good idea. I got some 0.4mm solder for my RGH installs and I'll be trying that out tonight.

However, the most important things are to take your time, clean the areas of the motherboard you will be working on (this helps a lot), use flux and... if you have any doubts at all... practice.

I had a couple of dead boards that I used to practice RGH installs on... I burnt pads and ripped up traces on my first couple of attempts, but my next two went much easier. I highly recommend getting a dead falcon or zephyr board off ebay and taking your iron to that before you do it to your box!

 

[axee44]

1st flux pen should be fine according to info i have found

"Flux pencil X33S-07I
The perfect solution for quick repairs of PCBs, fine pitch and SMD soldering. Flux is dispensed accurately through the applicator nozzle."

 

[TheSwede86]

How high should I set my soldering iron for?
It goes from 170 to 480 (degrees centigrade).

Is it all depending on the specific solders melting point?

 

[Martin C]

How high should I set my soldering iron for?
It goes from 170 to 480 (degrees centigrade).

Is it all depending on the specific solders melting point?

You want it between 350-375.