RE: Need some soldering tips
1.) Hotter iron, get a 40-45w as suggested above
2.) Get some flux. Flux cleans the surface and helps the solder stick to it.
3.) Put a tiny bit of flux on the tab and stick the solder to it. Remember the old saying "Less is more"? It applies here.
4.) Put some flux on the ends of your wire, and stick the solder to it. Remember the old saying "Less is more"? It DOESN'T apply here.. Make sure the braid of wire is completely permeated by the solder.
5.) Now, using the afore mentioned vice grips (I use Craftsman's AutoLock instead, but whatever ya got..) heat one of the tabs. The solder you appiled before will melt and give the wire something to adhere to. While heated, put the wire against it and hold it very steady and remove the iron once the solder in the braid and the solder on the tab begin to flow together. Any movement once the iron is removed will weaken the resulting solder joint. Hold it till it cools and then give it a tug to be sure it is stuck securely.
That's pretty much all ya do. Be VERY mindful of your + and -.. Get thsoe wrong, and you fry stuff.