How to attach leads to batteries?
 

Ok, I have a question. Someone told me that if I apply a hot soldering Iron to the battery it will lose most of its mAH. Is this true? If so can I just take some epoxy and glue the wire leads to the battery?

Thanks in advance!

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

It's true, if you hold the hot soldering iron on the battery for a long period of time. One or two seconds won't hurt the battery at all.

You need a soldering iron with a large chisel tip, preferably 40 Watts or greater. This allows you to transfer lots of heat to a small area quickly, without causing the rest of the cell to heat up. Rough up the end of the cell with a dremel drum sander to get it clean, then tin the cell with quality solder such as Radio Shack rosin core.

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

Ok, thanks! So I'll get the highest watt soldering iron and do it. Also what if I put the batteries in a freezer and keep them really cold and solder the leads right as I take it out of the freezer. Is this a good idea? I think it will give me a couple of extra seconds of time. What about the epoxy idea? Can I just put the leads over the battery and then apply epoxy over them?

Thanks in advance!

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

do not put them in the freezer whtever you do.

it is not the wattage of the iron that matters but the size of the head. Wait for the head of the iron to heat up properly!! I always use a small piece of tissue paper around the terminal with a bit of water on the tissue. ie damp this way if i overheat the terminal the tissue will cool it down sufficiently for me to work for 5-10 seconds at a time. good luck!!

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

Ok, maybe a freezer isnt a good idea but what about the fridge? I've seen tons of people put their batteries in the fridge to prolong their life. The tissue paper idea sounds good. Also how do you do "solder prep?"-making sure that everything bonds and holds correctly. I still want to know if putting glue over the leads is a good idea.

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

Teamturbo,

I'm not sure exactly what glue you were talking about I would guess that it would have to be very conductive and able to adhere strongly to metal. Epoxy acks like an insulator with a large resistance when cured and really doesn't bond great to metal alone especially something tinned like battery tabs. If I were to try glue, I would begin with mastic types like Dr. Benzolas quick metal or JB Weld, however soldering is the BEST method and with a bit of practice can be done effectively. Like the other posts stated........Prep is everything.

- tin the wires
- clean the battery taps.Dremel with light grinding stone works because you can control the pressure and area
- A 40 watt with a large tip is essential but the tip has to be clean and tinned. Let it heat up to temperature before anything!!
- Solder the wires to the tabs. If the iron is hot and everything is clean the solder will flow very quickly. Remember it is not how much solder you use but how well it adheres. A bright solder joint is good.............A dull solder joint is bad.

Worrying about loosing MAH of the pack should not stop you from soldering. Search the how to's around here and I'm sure you will find some very interesting and educational ways to solder. Everybody learns so don't try to glue because even if you did get something to work, I would guess that you would never be able to de-glue it.

Don't risk your plane to a faulty battery joint........................practice soldering it is easier than you think

Regards,

Nate

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

No, putting glue over the leads is NOT a good idea. I thought I explained that, but I guess I forgot to address that in my last response...

Anyway, no matter what glue you use, it won't stick in the first place. You can't epoxy metal. Epoxy is also not conductive. If it flows around and under the wire, you have a wire that's sorta stuck to the cell until you look at it crosseyed, then the epoxy is insulating the wire from the battery.

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

You might be able to use a hemostat as a heat sink to keep the iron from transfering its heat to the battery. Using a hot enough iron and cleaning the surface before hand will really make this a quick operation.

Also, don't short out the two leads. If they touch it will be exciting! Do one at a time.

You can alway practice, practice and practice a bit before going to the money solder.

WP

RE: How to attach leads to batteries?
 

Thanks for all your help guys! I will just practice on a couple old AA alkaline cells to make sure I get a correct hold. I've often had problems with soldering in general because the solder joints often would not hold. I will be sure to clean the surface with alchole this time.[>:][&:]