My soldering joints to an RGB strip pads. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 06:25:26 am
content: I've had to do some of this soldering type recently, so this is where i am so far. Any comments, improvements, etc, please do.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 10:53:22 am
content: Not bad overall.1. Use less solder. You should still be able to see the contours of the stranding.2. The green and blue wires’ insulation is a bit too close for comfort. (You run the risk of melting the insulation.) The red one looks ideal. The black one is at the outer limit, you wouldn’t want to strip any longer.I suggest the following soldering tutorial to everyone; it’s hands down the best I’ve ever seen, by a huge margin. It shows what you want to see. (I forget in which section though.)https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL926EC0F1F93C1837

author: No.Mad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 02:05:57 pm
content: Hi DW1961,Not great not terrible quoting certain tv seriesAs tooki pointed out already, less solder. More solder doesn't make connection stronger, it could even make it weaker. I have same opinion as tooki when comes to insulation - too close.If you want, I made totally random and quick how-to:https://youtu.be/YrVqrMMslCEWhole procedure is described under clip.Regards,No.Mad

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 05:20:44 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on October 27, 2020, 10:53:22 amOk thanks for the input. I did watch all of those pace videos. I'll go back and watch them again.I'll take more time to get the wires the exact length next time and use less solder. The way I did it was to cut and tin the wires (22 guage), then tin the pads, let it cool, then put flux on the pads. They loaded the iron with solder and used tweezers to apply the wire. Then, just touched the iron for no more than 1-2 second. I'll see if I can try and load the iron with less solder, and then just try to use the solder I put on the pad for connection. That would really reduce the amount of solder.Thanks for that input to both you and No.Mad.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 05:28:49 pm
content: Quote from: No.Mad on October 27, 2020, 02:05:57 pmJust watched your video. Thanks. It was informative.

author: JustMeHere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 10:30:56 pm
content: Looks good enough to me.You might want to figure out how to get some strain relief. The wires will break near the solder joint of they are moved often. This is because the joint forms a sheer point. Some shrink wrap over all four wires together can help move the strain to a point away from where the wires attach. Try to get around a bit of the circuit board too.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2020, 04:52:01 am
content: Quote from: JustMeHere on October 27, 2020, 10:30:56 pmJust waiting for some white PET to come in, then the heat shrink goes on.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2020, 07:37:33 pm
content: Quote from: DW1961 on October 27, 2020, 05:20:44 pmWhat I would do is this: strip and tin the wires, then trim to length. Tin the pad so it has a very slight “pillow” of solder on it. Flux lightly and reflow. Should take no longer than a second. No need to “load” the iron, just have it freshly tinned with juuuust enough solder on it to form a thermal bridge.But again, it’s not bad. Just keep practicing!

author: No.Mad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2020, 02:45:27 pm
content: Quote from: DW1961 on October 27, 2020, 05:28:49 pmNo problem. I now have more respect for Dave as setting everything up and recording took me about 45 min. And we are taking about unedited, no sound, one-shot 4 min demonstrationOn top of that if you are looking for some industry standards with pictures (who doesn't love book with pictures?) I could recommend IPC-610 and IPC-620. I used them alongside with NASA craftsmanship standards when learning how to solder, rework, crimp and do wiring. If you won't find it for reasonable price on EBay or somewhere else, send me PM with email addressRegards,No.Mad