Soldering help!!

[ali101]

Hi guys,

I'm in need of some soldering assistance, my soldering technique seems to be fine. Yet still when I solder on Pads like 4in1 ESCs the joints are awful, cold and dull in colour.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, Am I using the wrong solder (can anyone recommend any) or I'm I using a terrible soldering station? ([£49.55]YIHUA 937D 220V 75W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station 4 Tip Lead Welding Tool Kit Professional Tools from Tools, Industrial & Scientific on banggood.com https://banggood.app.link/4m4gnUV1u5)

Any help is much appreciated, thanks

[ched]

A 75 watt iron should be well up to the job.
I have only ever used rosin cored lead solder - I believe the lead free solder needs different temp and isn't easy to use.
Dull joints are usually a heat issue unless you have naff solder, then you need better solder.

You should twist the multi strands of the wire together, soldering iron temp probably about 300 deg C. Clean the tip by wiping it on damp sponge, apply a little solder to wet the tip. Touch the tip of the iron on the wire and touch the solder to the wire not the tip, it should be the heat transferred to the wire that melts the solder. That should have the wire tinned. Now wipe iron and wet it, apply to the esc pad, touch solder to pad and tin the pad. Again wipe and wet the iron and apply it to the wire that is now touching the pad, add a some solder to the joint again the wire and pad should melt the extra solder and flow together. Pull the solder away and then the iron, make sure the wire doesn't move as this will cause a bad joint.

Practice on bits of wire just to get used to tinning cable and that will help when you want to solder wires to esc pads as practicing on esc pads might get expensive  :)

Hope that gives you some clues.

[ali101]

Thanks for your reply, can you possibly link the solder you use ,is it branded,  since I use the solder that just came with the iron so not sure if it's 60/40 or leaded solder. However when I use my other solder which is 60/40 rosin core lead free solder 1.2mm the flux seeps out onto the pad making an orange/yellowish  mess.

But I'll try again with the tips mentioned, and see how it goes.

Thanks

[ched]

The orange mess is the flux that is in the rosin core. It helps the solder flow and give good clean joints. It can be cleaned off after its all cold with isopropyl alcohol if you want. The flux isn't an issue other than aesthetics for multirotors.

Unfortunately the rolls of solder I have are very very old (probably over 25 years, 500gms) so no idea what brand they are.
Maybe have a look at decent places like cpc, farnell, rs components. Be careful of stuff from amazon and ebay as they may be poor quality.
You need 60/40 tin/lead solder with 180 deg c melting point.

[ali101]

Yeah I think my solder is one of my problems since I was ordering it off eBay, I've found this one on CPC it looks good to me https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d01681/solder-wire-sn60-pb40-0-7mm-100g/dp/SD01535

Going to order this one, then try soldering again when it arrives.

[ched]

Looks good. Not sure if you are aware but cpc delivery is free if order over £8 (plus vat).
Fingers cross that will sort you out.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[BigT]

I ran out of solder that was my Fathers, it was at least 60 years old. When I tried the new solders they where awful. I then found that the Multicore brand was the best of the newer solders and more like the old leaded solder. I also use a flux stick when soldering larger diameter wires

[ali101]

Yeah the new solders are quite bad, or well the one I was using, it melted turning into like a gloopy mess. But I've ordered one by duratool let's see how it works out.

[ali101]

Thanks ched, the solder you recommended was excellent, honestly made a complete difference in ease of soldering and my joints are pretty shiny.

Really does make a difference in the solder you choose, to those especially new to the hobby/ soldering don't buy junk off eBay and Amazon (so I learnt the long way)  I used a brand called duratool. Hope this helps anyone in the future.

[ched]

Really glad to hear the new solder is working well.
The saying ' a bad workman blames his tools' is not necessarily correct. You do need the correct tools to a job well  :D