Soldering Help

[Rolex888]

Background Info: I've been running Nitro RC's and now I'm trying out with my 1st electric with an RC18T Kit. I've got a Mamba Competition X setup installed. Everything is ready to go. The only thing I need to do is to solder the esc black & red cable to a male Deans connector.

Few Questions:

1) I know I hear you guys recommending to tin the wires and to tin the connector. But how thorough do I tin the wires and the connector? How much solder should I be putting on? Does it need to be a big fat gob of solder or just a thin coat of solder?

2) Assuming that I know the answer to #1, when attaching the tinned wire to the tinned connector, how much solder do I need to use to attach it? And what's the best way to do this? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm trying to place the solder on top of the wire which lies on top of the connector plate. Once I have this clamped down with my clamping tool, I heat the solder, right? Does my iron physically touch the solder only or should I be trying to melt the solder by touching down the wire?

3) How hot should my iron be? I have a weller 40watt and I have it on setting 5 which is the highest. The solder melts in like less than a split second as soon as it touches the iron. Plus, it melts and burns so fast that there's a glob of solder on the underneath of my iron tip so that it stays cooked and turns brownish. Does this mean my iron is too hot and should I lower the temp?

4) Last but not least, when you solder, are you supposed to let the solder drip onto the wire or your connection or are you supposed to kind of brush it on as it melts? (Maybe this will give me a clue to my question #3)

Thanks in advance, I can't find any manuals on this stuff and they don't teach you this when you buy an electric car. Sucks.

 

[RatzoRC]

OK. I'm gonna have to go back and read the questions one at a time.
I'll start with #1.
Tinning: Just put enough to coat the wire or a flat coating on the connectors.

You want to use enough solder to make it cover a 1/4 of the wire.
You just want it to stick.

Tinning: I put a dab of solder on the iron, then put the wire on the soldering iron. Then I touch the solder to the copper. Think of it as a sandwich. Soldering iron with solder on it, the wire, then solder pressing on the wire.
You'll see, it will suck right into the wire. Don't use to much, as it will suck into the wire under the insulation and give you a stiff wire.
Practice with some scraps first to get the hang of it. Also, the wire gets hot. Be carefull.

If you have your iron so hot that the solder is popping, and not staying on the iron, it's too hot.
A hot iron will also melt your wire insulation.

Good luck.

 

[FastEddy]

Tin the wire first, hold the iron at full heat on the wire then after a few seconds touch the solder to the wire and let it draw the solder in. You want the wire to look silver with not a lot of extra solder. If there is to much, heat the wire and give it a flick to get rid of the extra.

Clean your tip on a wet sponge.

Tin the connector my holding the iron on the connector then place the solder on the connector. You will see the flux boil and the solder will smooth out to form a small mound. It should be smooth. Just enough to fuse the wire to the connector. To much is not good.

Hold the two tinned parts together and hold the iron on the wire until it makes one mound of solder on the connector that contains the wire inside. It will happen fast so be prepared.

If you are getting blobs of solder, wipe the tip on a wet sponge. Let it heat all the way up again before trying to use it for the next step. Always use fresh solder not whats left on the tip. What is on the tip has no flux left in it and is difficult to work with.

I hope this helps. You may want to practice on some spare parts first. Its an acquired skill.

 

[FastEddy]

Two answers. two methods.
LOL Thats what you get for asking. :

 

[RatzoRC]

Clean your tip on a wet sponge.

Good idea.......

 

[RatzoRC]

We basically had the same answer.

Greight mynds think alyke!

 

[FastEddy]

Its obvious that some not so great ones think alike as well

 

[Rolex888]

Wow!!! You guys are brilliant! So descriptive! I can totally imagine this process now. I can't wait to get off work and head home to try this out. Thanks so much!

I can't believe I was trying to do this thing backwards.

 

[RatzoRC]

Our pleasure. Good luck.

 

[rbmaxxbasher]

take your time.

 

[FastEddy]

Digging up old threads are we? look at the date.

As to taking your time, yes, look plan then do.
I find the when it comes to soldering (The actual deed) Faster is better. Don't take your time and let the iron get everything to hot by letting it linger on the wire, connector, and especially a battery.
Hot and fast. When the 2 solders melt together as one, pull the tip and let it cool. If you take your time with the tip on the joint it can and will do damage to the parts by over heating them.

 

[RatzoRC]

Digging up old threads are we? look at the date.

By now Rolex888 has been soldering for two months.
But thanks for the tip.

 

[Pinblaster]

the Main thing you need to be careful with is those Deans plugs. If you keep the iron on them too long they will melt and you wont be able to use them. This is the main reason I perfer Sermos Powerploes. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=000662472&I=LXD176&P=K

 

[pedemaster r/c]

i got them and they were a pain sometimes. they kept unconnecting on me everytime i bashed my pede, now I'm goin deans

 

[FastEddy]

I have used deans for so long they are second nature. Once you get them figured out its a breeze. I have been looking at some bullet connectors that are on the market. They have a great battery connector so you don't have to solder the wire every time you change the battery. From what I hear they offer little to no more resistance then a hardwire.

If I can find a link some time I will post it.

 

[Pinblaster]

yeah bullets are great too, just get a pack and crimp them on the wires. No soldering, and if the wire breaks you just strip and crimp another one on. Don't have to wait 10 minutes for an iron to heat up, melt a connector or burn your fingers LOL