[super_nova]

Hey Guys,

Looking for some soldering tips. I'm trying to solder the 10gauge leads on my motor directly to the 8gauge wires on the speed control, but not having much luck. I have a 100/140w weller soldering gun, so I'm sure I've got the heat I need. Just seems like it takes forever for that 8gauge wire to heat up and even start to melt the solder. Not sure how I'm going to solder the two wires together like this...

Jason

[cassat]

Yeah, I ran into the exact same problem this weekend also.
Another member mentioned that he used a torch. So, I had to go and buy a
butane refill.....they look just like a Bic lighter and the torch is called Microtorch.
Wow, the job was done in record time. A bit of white flaking on the insulaters, but
scraped off fine with the hobby knife.

[Rod]

The problem with a Soldering gun is that there is not enough material in th tip to retain the heat. I use a 40 watt iron with a solid tip (about 1/4" in diameter), to solder larger wires, (8 and 10 gage), etc. When the going gets tough I have a 100 watt iron with a 1/2" copper tip that holds it's heat when soldering heavy wire, landing gears, sheet metal etc.
I try to not use a propane torch as I find it difficult to contain the flame to a small location as you are trying to solder (#8 to # 10 wire).

[super_nova]

The soldering gun has a couple tips and I did switch to one with a larger surface area such as the one in this picture http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/0...0&op_sharpen=1

But it was still giving me trouble just taking too long to heat up.

The other issue I have is, if I am able to get them hot enough, any tips on how to hold the two wires together (side by side) tightly while the solder joins them...

[bear57]

Jason, make sure your iron is produciong the heat it is capable of. The tip should be tinned and the screws holding it should be tight. Back the screws out and turn them in and out several times to make good contact with the tip. You may even want to take the tip out and clean the two ends with fine sand paper etc. Solder guns are notorious for bad tip contacts.
Tin each one of your wires well.
As far as holding the wires in position, you may want to make a jig with a couple clothespins, or as an alternative you may wrap the joint with fine wire to hold the two conductors. Get the wires hot enough to melt the solder on its own while holding the gun to it. Oh, don't forget the heat shrink!

[super_nova]

Oh I like that idea of fine wires. Thanks! I'll check the tip too as you have suggested. Its a brand new soldering gun ( I figured my little 60w iron was going to have issues so I picked it up) so I'll double check everything as you have suggested.

[pipercub17]

are you using flux

[hardcore]

You could also use a small brass tube just large enough to slip over the bigger of the two wires. Solder each wire into an end, and cover with heat shrink tubing. Might not be the most flexible, but a soldered joint NEVER is

Hope this helps!



HC

[michel gravelle]

Hi Guys

All useful help above .

Maybe also this will help :
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692

Michel

[super_nova]

I had wondered about that brass tube idea...but I tried the fine wire idea. I ended up using the metal from a twist tie with the out plastic coating pulled off. I found with it I could twist the leads I was soldering together night and tight and then after soldering the wire still came off nicely. The joints came out pretty good, although I'm a little worried about one being a possible cold solder joint, so I might redo it. Otherwise, it just took a little patience holding that gun in place for things to heat up. I also found going back to the smaller tip on the gun worked better. The large flat tip is too thin to hold a lot of heat, the smaller one seemed to work well for me.