Sodering servo leads
12-03-2007, 06:14 PM
#52
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RE: Sodering servo leads
Use a bit of flux , keep the job clean ,(the tip of the iron too) ,tin the stranded wire and don,t add any more solder ! All good advice . May the flux be with you!!
12-03-2007, 06:47 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
ORIGINAL: Frjock
The guy is nuts! Use a bit of flux , keep the job clean ,(the tip of the iron too) ,tin the stranded wire and don,t add any more solder ! All good advice . May the flux be with you!!
The guy is nuts! Use a bit of flux , keep the job clean ,(the tip of the iron too) ,tin the stranded wire and don,t add any more solder ! All good advice . May the flux be with you!!
12-03-2007, 07:42 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
Additional flux is useful and for some, a must have. I never really used flux until I got my reliability certification. Having to touch up reflow machine solder joints visible with only a 10X magnifier using a hand-held iron made me realize the importance of flux. I was amazed at how much better the solder flowed with flux. Granted non of our servo wires are going into space or will be used in cruise missles; flux can be the difference between a good contiguous joint and a joint that will fail.
The flux I use is a no-clean liquid - not paste. Clean up is not necessary. Flux clean up can be done with a detail paintbrush (or the like) and denatured alcohol. Lightly scrub with the brush and dab or blow dry.
If you manage to eat a few potato chips or have any type of oil on your fingers when you twist your wires together you'll soon realize that unless the wire is clean, solder won't flow or even stick for that matter - rosin-core or no. If your wires have been in use or are a few years old and don't want to 'take' solder, flux is the stuff that'll help. I've even seen it work on black-wire disease.
Some tips I can think of off hand:
Plan what you are going to do.
Have everything ready.
Get the sponge form the sink and soak it to use to clean the iron tip.
Put the heat shrink over the wire(s) BEFORE you solder them together
.
Inspect your joints carefully - especially for the single strand stays and 'tack' joints.
Rinse the sponge before returning it to the sink so you don't get caught
.
If your new to soldering or haven't done it in a while - practice first.
And one of my fav tips: After slicing a ring around the wire's insulation and of course being careful not to nick any of the wires inside, twist the piece of insulation as you pull it off. You just saved a step and didn't have to touch the nice clean copper with your grubby fingers!
Happy Soldering!
The flux I use is a no-clean liquid - not paste. Clean up is not necessary. Flux clean up can be done with a detail paintbrush (or the like) and denatured alcohol. Lightly scrub with the brush and dab or blow dry.
If you manage to eat a few potato chips or have any type of oil on your fingers when you twist your wires together you'll soon realize that unless the wire is clean, solder won't flow or even stick for that matter - rosin-core or no. If your wires have been in use or are a few years old and don't want to 'take' solder, flux is the stuff that'll help. I've even seen it work on black-wire disease.
Some tips I can think of off hand:
Plan what you are going to do.
Have everything ready.
Get the sponge form the sink and soak it to use to clean the iron tip.
Put the heat shrink over the wire(s) BEFORE you solder them together
.Inspect your joints carefully - especially for the single strand stays and 'tack' joints.
Rinse the sponge before returning it to the sink so you don't get caught
.If your new to soldering or haven't done it in a while - practice first.
And one of my fav tips: After slicing a ring around the wire's insulation and of course being careful not to nick any of the wires inside, twist the piece of insulation as you pull it off. You just saved a step and didn't have to touch the nice clean copper with your grubby fingers!
Happy Soldering!
12-03-2007, 07:48 PM
#57
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RE: Sodering servo leads
ORIGINAL: Jazzy
Additional flux is useful and for some, a must have. I never really used flux until I got my reliability certification. Having to touch up reflow machine solder joints visible with only a 10X magnifier using a hand-held iron made me realize the importance of flux. I was amazed at how much better the solder flowed with flux. Granted non of our servo wires are going into space or will be used in cruise missles; flux can be the difference between a good contiguous joint and a joint that will fail.
The flux I use is a no-clean liquid - not paste. Clean up is not necessary. Flux clean up can be done with a detail paintbrush (or the like) and denatured alcohol. Lightly scrub with the brush and dab or blow dry.
If you manage to eat a few potato chips or have any type of oil on your fingers when you twist your wires together you'll soon realize that unless the wire is clean, solder won't flow or even stick for that matter - rosin-core or no. If your wires have been in use or are a few years old and don't want to 'take' solder, flux is the stuff that'll help. I've even seen it work on black-wire disease.
Some tips I can think of off hand:
Plan what you are going to do.
Have everything ready.
Get the sponge form the sink and soak it to use to clean the iron tip.
Put the heat shrink over the wire(s) BEFORE you solder them together.
Inspect your joints carefully - especially for the single strand stays and 'tack' joints.
Rinse the sponge before returning it to the sink so you don't get caught.
If your new to soldering or haven't done it in a while - practice first.
And one of my fav tips: After slicing a ring around the wire's insulation and of course being careful not to nick any of the wires inside, twist the piece of insulation as you pull it off. You just saved a step and didn't have to touch the nice clean copper with your grubby fingers!
Happy Soldering!
Additional flux is useful and for some, a must have. I never really used flux until I got my reliability certification. Having to touch up reflow machine solder joints visible with only a 10X magnifier using a hand-held iron made me realize the importance of flux. I was amazed at how much better the solder flowed with flux. Granted non of our servo wires are going into space or will be used in cruise missles; flux can be the difference between a good contiguous joint and a joint that will fail.
The flux I use is a no-clean liquid - not paste. Clean up is not necessary. Flux clean up can be done with a detail paintbrush (or the like) and denatured alcohol. Lightly scrub with the brush and dab or blow dry.
If you manage to eat a few potato chips or have any type of oil on your fingers when you twist your wires together you'll soon realize that unless the wire is clean, solder won't flow or even stick for that matter - rosin-core or no. If your wires have been in use or are a few years old and don't want to 'take' solder, flux is the stuff that'll help. I've even seen it work on black-wire disease.
Some tips I can think of off hand:
Plan what you are going to do.
Have everything ready.
Get the sponge form the sink and soak it to use to clean the iron tip.
Put the heat shrink over the wire(s) BEFORE you solder them together
.Inspect your joints carefully - especially for the single strand stays and 'tack' joints.
Rinse the sponge before returning it to the sink so you don't get caught
.If your new to soldering or haven't done it in a while - practice first.
And one of my fav tips: After slicing a ring around the wire's insulation and of course being careful not to nick any of the wires inside, twist the piece of insulation as you pull it off. You just saved a step and didn't have to touch the nice clean copper with your grubby fingers!
Happy Soldering!
All very good advice.
john
I wished I had said that.
12-03-2007, 08:15 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
MinnFlyer- I'm not trying to start an argument here, but what you will wind up with if you make a connection as outlined in your post #45 is a copper to lead to copper splice. Not good, as lead (solder) will not flow an electric current near as good as copper, think resistance. As far as credentials, I spent 36 years with Southwestern Bell, many of those years as a cable splicer, twisting and soldering wires. Other than building model airplanes, I build radios for a past time. Jim
12-03-2007, 09:17 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
Jim, with all due respect, it is my belief that most of us do not twist the two pieces of wire together like one would under a wirenut. That would be the best connection - but not provide a 'streamlined' joint capable of being pulled through wing ribs.
It seems to me that what is being described here is a parallel joint (not sure what the technical term is anymore...) similar to a butt joint.
So, I guess Yes, we are mostly making a copper-lead-copper connection with minimal copper-copper contact.
Even if the wires are twisted together, there still is not as much cantact as you might think after the solder bonds to the entire surface of each copper strand except where contact pressure is enough to keep it from permeating the contact point. Keep in mind this is only 20 or 22 awg wire.
It seems to me that what is being described here is a parallel joint (not sure what the technical term is anymore...) similar to a butt joint.
So, I guess Yes, we are mostly making a copper-lead-copper connection with minimal copper-copper contact.
Even if the wires are twisted together, there still is not as much cantact as you might think after the solder bonds to the entire surface of each copper strand except where contact pressure is enough to keep it from permeating the contact point. Keep in mind this is only 20 or 22 awg wire.
12-03-2007, 09:19 PM
#61
RE: Sodering servo leads
Jim, there is no doubt that a copper to copper connection is better than a copper to lead to copper connection. However, even if you twist the wires together first, you will still get solder flowing between the wires. That is what solder is supposed to do.
It's not going to lay on top of the connection, it's going to flow into it - and get between each and every strand.
Now once again, it is true that by twisting them first, you will get a thinner layer of solder between the two pieces of copper, but this is exactly why the two wires are overlapped and not soldered end-to-end. it is not only for strength, but also to provide a longer contact point - thereby reducing the resistance.
It's not going to lay on top of the connection, it's going to flow into it - and get between each and every strand.
Now once again, it is true that by twisting them first, you will get a thinner layer of solder between the two pieces of copper, but this is exactly why the two wires are overlapped and not soldered end-to-end. it is not only for strength, but also to provide a longer contact point - thereby reducing the resistance.
12-04-2007, 05:51 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
Sorry , no offence meant , you are obviously well informed on soldering techniques . I simply wanted to say that it,s not a dark art , just one that requires a bit of practice and patience . One more thing though ! Should you cut the cable on a servo , I,m almost positive that your warranty is dead !! So !! Extention makers beware , it,s no use going into the hobby shop and saying " My plane crashed because the servo gears stripped !!?? " . You cut the cable , you cut the warranty !! I,m sure the dealers will have something to say on this ! So let your flux flow !!
12-04-2007, 06:24 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
well, just when I thought I had it figured out.... so, do we twist the wires together or do we lay them side by side? twisting would seem better just for pure strength but, maybe not... I really do appreciate everyones help and input...
12-04-2007, 10:16 PM
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RE: Sodering servo leads
ORIGINAL: Frjock
...One more thing though ! Should you cut the cable on a servo , I,m almost positive that your warranty is dead !! So !! Extention makers beware , it,s no use going into the hobby shop and saying " My plane crashed because the servo gears stripped !!?? " . You cut the cable , you cut the warranty !! I,m sure the dealers will have something to say on this ! So let your flux low !!
...One more thing though ! Should you cut the cable on a servo , I,m almost positive that your warranty is dead !! So !! Extention makers beware , it,s no use going into the hobby shop and saying " My plane crashed because the servo gears stripped !!?? " . You cut the cable , you cut the warranty !! I,m sure the dealers will have something to say on this ! So let your flux low !!
Mike
