n64 cart slot solder not melting very well

sbf · Post by **sbf** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:57 pm

Hi, Im currently in the process of relocating the n64 cart slot.

I have about 10 wires or so that really do not seem to like being soldered to the motherboard, I've been using a 15w soldering iron, even with my 30w soldering iron, the solder doesnt really seem to melt.

I have been using rosin flux throughout.

Could it be the 30W iron needs a new tip?

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 pm

Maybe the wires or the connections are not completely clean, that could be the problemâ€¦

G-force · Post by **G-force** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:11 pm

I heard that brushing the tip with steel wool can fix it up. It might wreck it too. I dunno.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:41 pm

A new tip couldn't hurt.

(unless you swap out the tips when the iorn is on, then it hurts like the blazes.

)

Try putting some solder right on the tip and it should melt. If not your iorn might be failing, but since you said it's only ten wires that are giving you trouble, then that's probably not the issue.

Did you try flux or lemon juice?

sbf · Post by **sbf** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:07 pm

Just ebayed a new soldering iron, 30w, only 4 pounds!

With my old one it will only melt solder on certain parts of the tip, so when the new iron comes i'll carry on!

hmm, new tips, or a little more for a whole new one

Post by **gannon** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:34 pm

4 pounds? That sure is heavy

Maybe saying quid would be a bit more understandable...

codeman · Post by **codeman** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:40 am

G-force wrote:I heard that brushing the tip with steel wool can fix it up. It might wreck it too. I dunno.

yeah, you can do that, or you can even grind the tip to be any shape you want. Just go to radioshack and get some tip-tinner, it cleans and coats the tip really well

Foxx373 · Post by **Foxx373** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:52 am

I use a fmetal file to clean my tip and sharpen it. Then i use the tip cleaner to re-tin it. It works wonders every time.

Try to tin your contacts and wires by putting a thin coat of solder on them, then tin the iron, and attempt to tack the wire onto the board.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:05 pm

Hmm, I have some of the tip tinner, but I can't get it to work well or anything. The main problem is getting it on the upper parts of the tip. Also, it is also supposed to clean your tip, so don't bother filing it down first anyway.