Soldering Woes

[eyedebee]

Hi,

I've just got myself a new ESC, I'm really struggling to get the 12AWG wires tinned and even the pre-tinned wires are being difficult to solder to the ESC posts. I'm in a mess, so I've borrowed a desolder pump and I'm going to start again.

I've got a Maplin 50W Solderstation which has until now served me well but I think I might need something with more power. I've tried changing to a wider tip- still struggling.

Has anyone got a cost friendly soldering iron/station they can recommend? Or is it me?

[levontraut]

helping hands on ebay are about 4 pound for a cheap and nasty 9one but it does the job and a good soldering iron, 50w should be alright but higher should be a little better say 80w. let it get supper hot befor useing it. also how think is your solder? you do nto want it to be too thick


i can nto comment much as i am still learning but practice makes perfect.

[benl]

Make sure the tip on the iron is also tinned as this makes a massive difference, maybe use a new one if possible. Good quality solder is also important.
When soldering speedo posts I have found sometimes I need to apply heat to the posts rather than the pads to get the solder flowing.
50w should be good enough although if its fairly old it may be worth investing in a new one as I know mine gets lots more use now with this RC malarkey than it ever did before.
Good luck and may the flow be with you :thumbs up:

[eyedebee]

thanks for the feedback guys. I do tin my solder tip, I just can't get the solder to flow nicely as I do on thinner wire.

I'm using Draper flux core solder, can you recommend some suitable solder?

[levontraut]

Originally Posted by eyedebee

thanks for the feedback guys. I do tin my solder tip, I just can't get the solder to flow nicely as I do on thinner wire.

I'm using Draper flux core solder, can you recommend some suitable solder?

the solder that i use is any thin one that looks like it is good.

the cheap stuff fades very quickly and the good stuff has a shiney colour... also when soldering try and keep the solder all as one thing, as mixing WILL give you problems


also a piece of sponge with water on it to clean it after a few min also does the job but then make sure you do nto drown it that it becomes ice cold and then does nto work.

[rollingon4]

I downgraded to 14awg wires for the same reason, my iron would not even touch 12 gauge wires, the smaller gauge hasn't caused me any problems.

[paul kenealy]

i use fluxite soldering paste on the wire before tinning wire, works very well

[Steven Forster]

Originally Posted by eyedebee

thanks for the feedback guys. I do tin my solder tip, I just can't get the solder to flow nicely as I do on thinner wire.

I'm using Draper flux core solder, can you recommend some suitable solder?

Best solder ive used so far........

http://www.racing-cars.com/pp/Old_Ca...TRe/U3107.html

Im using an Antex 50w soldering iron with adjustable temperature, ive found that 50w on the highest setting was too much so turned it down !!!

[reg]

i used the core rc iron and shumy solder and its good for 12g wire