Whats a good solder tecnique?

onaquest · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:32 am Post subject: Whats a good solder tecnique?

Whats a good soldering technique for attaching an N-connector center pin to the center conductor of LMR600 cable? Im using a weller 1amp soldering gun, flux and silver aloy solder. Im having one heck of a time keeping the center conductor of the LMR600 cable to stay hot enough to slide on the N conncetor center pin and to get both pieces to accept the solder. by the time i get it all togethger, the center conductor on the cable wont heat back up again!

onaquest

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:42 am Post subject:

heat the heaviest pin first

xrayman · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject:

Back in the days I installed a lot of closed circuit medical TV systems I used an Amphenol crimp tool to attach the N connector center pins. Soldering can be difficult. The most important thing to remember about soldering is all oxidation must be cleaned off the parts that you are soldering together. Mechanical methods need to be used to do this. Don't just depend on the flux to get the job done. Yes you do need the correct amount of heat, not too much and not too little. Remember do not melt the insulation material around the center conductor of the cable.
Putting coaxial cable ends on is a difficult job. That is the reason I buy pre-made and tested LMR600 or LMR400 cables.

n6gn

shooter64738 · EVDO User Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

If by "flux and silver aloy solder" you mean traditional silver solder, I would switch to a 60/40 lead tin solder, with a rosin flux. You can pick it up about anywhere they sell wire. They have lead free versions as well. Silver solder has a higher melting point, and generally you do more insulation melting than you do soldering. Some of the flux with silver solder is mildly corrosive, and it's no good for electrical connections because the flux can be conductive. Use a wet sponge to wipe of your tip once in a while. Cleaner tip, gives you better heat transfer.

If you pick up solder at a hardware store, be sure you do NOT get acid flux solder.

pismo · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:42 am Post subject:

the best trick i have found is to use very thin solder thin enough to go through solder hole in center pin.
works very well with thin solder and does not take anywhere as much heat.
file any extra solder from outside of center pin if it wont fit in good to body of connector.
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