DoppleBanger Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) Alright I got a cheap 30w soldering iron off Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Version-Soldering-Iron-stand-replaceable/dp/B000LZ1VXE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401122004&sr=8-2&keywords=soldering+iron I'm struggling to solder the wires to the ECU.... it just doesn't seem to get hot enough esp if I'm trying to heat the wire and solder to attach it the ESC contact. What am I missing... do i need a more powerful soldering iron ? PS Tip that came with it is a round point cone tip. Edited May 26, 2014 by DoppleBanger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 80w is better. Assuming you have a clean iron tip and have tinned your wires, a 60w can do the job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjagaiden Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 A hotter iron allows you to get the heat into the wires quickly so they take up the solder. If your iron isn't powerful enough, then the heat just dissipates down the wires, and of course your valuable electronics are sitting at the other end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoppleBanger Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 80w is better. Assuming you have a clean iron tip and have tinned your wires, a 60w can do the job... Thanks could you recommend a good iron ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 A lot of people use draper soldering irons. why do you call an esc a ecu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoppleBanger Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 A lot of people use draper soldering irons. why do you call an esc a ecu? force of habit! ecu is the lingo for the electrical engine controller in car parlance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurcyP Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) Also its worth taking note what gauge of wire you are trying to solder, what ESC you are trying to solder up etc for example castle use probably the most heat proof solder ive ever seen, that was stupidly difficult. I have a maplins "Variable temperature" soldering iron, for small gauge wires such as 14, 16 etc it takes it all in its stride for all types of soldering including ESC's, recently did my hobbywing v2.1 with 12 gauge wire and it struggled to tin the wire, i wouldnt of used 12 gauge but its all i had.. If this isnt going to be something youll be doing regularly just try and pick up a decent brand 80w iron and good solder! cheapy nasty stuff that you get in auto factors etc just doesnt cut it, has no flux etc ..ive had no issues with maplins silver solder but i also have a tin of flux so that helps Edited May 26, 2014 by PurcyP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretch Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 force of habit! ecu is the lingo for the electrical engine controller in car parlance. Wouldn't that be a eec lol, thought ecu was engine control unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evssv Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) Wouldn't that be a eec lol, thought ecu was engine control unit.eec???.....European economic community. .......lol!!...I got a 30 watter for samll gauge wire and a 100 watter for them big wires. ...... Edited May 26, 2014 by evssv 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretch Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 no he called it electronic engine controller which shortened would be eec lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evssv Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 no he called it electronic engine controller which shortened would be eec lol.lol...should ecu..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bailey Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161297592230%20 This is what I use. It does upto 6.5mm bullets and 8awg cable with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpicLURcher Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 + 1 for the antex, its awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deafty Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) Don't forget ya solder, flux and heat shrink I highly recommend these: Solder Flux 63/37 is the best and easiest stuff to use. Any more than 6 seconds to complete connection is risking your expensive electronics Edited May 27, 2014 by Deafty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Antex for myself also, shop around though, eBay prices can be very expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 I use http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher-solder-2m/rc-car-products/26036 solder, it melts well and leaves a nice finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoppleBanger Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 I use http://www.modelsport.co.uk/schumacher-solder-2m/rc-car-products/26036 solder, it melts well and leaves a nice finish. Thanks - how do you use the 'flux' btw ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex97 Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Just dip the wire into the pot. You can put it on the connector but I never find it necessary to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Good solder has a flux core, so no need for extra flux. Or flux capacitors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colicab Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 I use a 30W iron and maplin solder. Never had any issues, and I use it on everything from tiny wires on my 1/36 scale right up to the thicker gauge stuff on my 1/8th scale. Just make sure both surfaces are hot enuff that the solder is actually gelling to them and not just sitting on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugster Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Good solder has a flux core, so no need for extra flux. Or flux capacitors Poppycock, my 1.21 gigawatt soldering iron needs plenty of capacitors... also enables me to solder at 88mph......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabba1 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I use this it works a treat.easy to get spare tips for too. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DREMEL-2000-6-VERSATIP-VARIABLE-TEMP-GAS-SOLDERING-IRON-/190610685566?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item2c61483e7e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deafty Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Extra flux is always a good idea. It makes an easy job even easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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