How much Solder used?

[kapil888]

How much solder do you guys think is needed for an RGH job. Im only asking because i want to know how big a spool I should order off radio shack.

Should I buy a 2.5 Ounce? (Link)
or an 8.0 Ounce (Link)

And just to be sure, a 30W with conical tip should be appropriate right?

Thank You and Happy modding!

~Kapil

 

[mocalacace]

2.5 ounces will be plenty. I have a 4 ounce spool that I've been using on and off for over a year.

 

[Martin C]

For one console, 2.5oz will be more than enough, possibly enough for 10.

 

[kapil888]

Thank you. Also, the 30W conical should be alright for the job?

EDIT: According to the soldering tips thread, I should use this (Link) flux. Can somebody confirm?

 

[playingmax]

u should use 15w.

 

[kapil888]

Are you sure? People across the forum including martin say that 30W should be fine.

 

[garageinc]

30 will be fine with good flux and not holding the iron on the board for excesive amounts of time. i use a 30watt for all my jtagging and will use it when i get round to a glitch too. you should only be applying heat to the board for a second anyway at most

 

[Martin C]

Don't use a 15W if you can help it. Lead free melts at higher temperatures and you won't get the solder hot enough to flow properly.

 

[kapil888]

30 will be fine with good flux and not holding the iron on the board for excessive amounts of time. i use a 30watt for all my jtagging and will use it when i get round to a glitch too. you should only be applying heat to the board for a second anyway at most

Will this flux (link) be fine?

And just for future purposes, will spreading the flux with a tooth pick be ok or is there a special tool that I use?

And Im assuming I put the solder on the solder pad that I want to solder to. Do I do this on the coolrunner end also?

Sorry for all the questions but I just dont want to horribly mess up and say that I did everything right when I clearly did not.

~Kapil

 

[garageinc]

yes that should be fine. amtech is about the best you can get but is a bit overkill for a single use. you would use the flux anywhere you are applying solder so a little on the wires first to tin them with solder then more on the contact pad. if you have a small coating of solder on your iron as you make contact with the pad and flux the solder will flow smoothly to the joint. no flux no flow and thats when you also risk damaging the pads as you apply heat for too long. i use a cotton bud/Qtip to apply my fux paste. be sure to clean it off afterwards though as it is corrosive unless it is a no clean brand.

 

[marshamods]

That flux will get the job done for this. I will warn you that flux smells awful

 

[mocalacace]

That flux will get the job done for this. I will warn you that flux smells awful

I personally like the smell of it. Although, at first I thought it was bad

 

[zaxzax1992]

be careful the fumes are dangerous if you smell them many engineres have asthma problems bcs of the fumes

 

[Mickey3177]

25 watt is fine, gets it plenty hot fast and when use flux you only need a little bit, use a small fine paint brush like 1/8" or smaller well work fine.

 

[MOCAMBO]

I bought 1kg, I should be good for life.

 

[DiamondKing1976]

You should practice your soldering on old electronics before you even attempt this. You generally only get one shot to do it right.

Some of the pads you will be soldering to are extremely small and you can lift the pad if you are not careful.

Be patient and good luck.


Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

[DBTarmac]

If your concerned about fumed get a charcoal filter fan or get a solder station with a vacuum and no fumes..

 

[gargoyle67]

I'm surprised members on here are recommending normal flux as it eats into the board over time if not properly cleaned off after the soldering, I've always been advised to use "no clean flux" on pcbs as it's safe from damaging your pcb's over time.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5494299_use-flux-printed-circuit-boards.html

"A common problem is using too much rosin flux. This can lead to a heavy build of rosin residue on the board under components. This residue contains acid and can damage the PCB and components over time. You should clean the solder joint thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol. Make sure the board is completely dry before going on."

 

[mattjk88]

I use plumbing flux, highly acidic but cleans very well, follow up with a courtesy wipe with IPA on a microfibre cloth. Nay worries.

 

[kapil888]

You should practice your soldering on old electronics before you even attempt this. You generally only get one shot to do it right.

Some of the pads you will be soldering to are extremely small and you can lift the pad if you are not careful.

Be patient and good luck.


Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

I have done some soldering before and watched videos on how to do it properly many times. Thanks =)

~Kapil