Saddle packs
 

Hi guys

I recently bought two Intellect 3600 stick packs. They need converting into saddle packs to fit my B44, and i'm having difficulty soldering the negative side of the cells. I have two soldering irons, one is rated at 25 watts and the other is the instant gun type rated at 100 watts. I bought the cells at a very good price thats why i bought them, and wondered if anyone could either finish them for me or give some advice. I live near Darlington if anyones close and can help it would be really appreciated.

Cheers

Lee :D

Niether of those irons will be good for cells.... you need a powerfull iron with a nice big tip for good thermal contact, 50 watts in normally just enough, but 75 or 100 is better.

You may also have a problem with the solder its self, cheap solders from DIY stores are no good... from experience they don't take well, especially the newer lead free ones. Buy some solder from an elecronics shop, also get some additional flux as this makes flash soldering much easier. (and some flux cleaner to remove residues!)

If your not good at soldering cells then get somebody experienced to show you how its done, just not worth taking the chance with sub standard soldering of cells. Not only can a poor solder job give performance problems but can also be dangerous!

If you pop into TRCC one night in billingham (www.teesside-rcc.org.uk) (tuesday or saturday) then i or someone will be more than happy to finish the job and show you how its done :thumbsup:

you may have damaged the cells too using those irons

Old fashioned iron
 

I dont know if u can still buy then but I use and old fashioned none electric iron, it has a big 1/2" shared copper end going to a point, you can heat it up on a gas ring to as hot as needed, other tip is use "Bakers soldering fluid" or similar, great for big jobs

http://www.tooltimer.com/toolpics/soldering.jpg

http://www.axminster.co.uk/images/products/BAK125_l.jpg

This is brilliant advive if you are fixing gutters or copper pipes in you house but you won't be doing your cells any favours with these "tools"
Use a good, high power soldering iron with a large tip and a quality solder and just have someone show you how to do it. Soldering cells is one of those things you really have to be shown...

Thanks for the help everyone, i didn't heat the cells for too long so hopefully didn't damage them. I'll try and get over to Billingham next week.

Lee

They wont be many people there tomorrow (indoor finals) but i'll be there, and tuesday, and next saturday and so on :p

If your still in need of some help and didn't make it back in March we've moved.

click on TRCC @ West Middlesbrough Scout Hut for new venue in my siganture.