Soldering problems???
 

I just bought a hakko fx-888 in hopes that I wouldn't lose my mind trying to solder things. I put a hakko chisel tip on it because I needed to solder an ec5 connector to a battery with 8 gauge wire. I used flux on the wire, the iron was brand new, tip was tinned, temp was cranked all the way up but still it was a nightmare to get this connector on. While trying to tin the wire, I couldn't get the solder to flow into the wires. I held the tip on the wires for a long time while holding the solder on the opposite side of the wires but the solder still wouldn't flow. Finally, I just touched the solder to the tip which I know isn't really the proper way to do it. Next I tried to fill the metal tube from the connector with solder. I put fuel tubing on needle nose pliers to hold the tube in place. I held the iron tip against the side of the tube and the solder inside the tube. It took literally minutes to melt. I thought I did everything right but obviously I must be screwing something up because I know it's not supposed to be this hard. I'm using rosin core solder but the solder "wire" seems a little thick. I don't know if that could be the problem but I'm getting frustrated because I bought this new iron in hopes that it would make my life easier.

Are you tinning the tip of the iron? Always tin the iron to help conduct heat.

65w Iron, probably not enough power to heat the connectors you were trying to solder.

Your not trying to solder with silver high temp solder or something like that, are you? With a quality unit like the Hakko, soldering should be simple. Something is wrong with the unit or they way you are doing things if tinning the bullets on the EC5 connectors are taking minutes.

Here is a tip. Turn the iron all the way up, wipe the tip off with the sponge and then look at the tip after 20 or so seconds. It should be hot enough that the tip turns purple'ish instead of staying shinny.

Also, with a proper iron and tip, separate flux is really not needed, although it can't hurt. The 60/40 solder from rat shack is all you need. Diameter of the solder does not matter.

Sounds like your not keeping your tip properly clean and tinned. For tinning wires. I put a nice amount on the tip and hold it under the wire, I feed a little on the tip directly next to the wire the. Move to flowing the solder on top of the wire. And even that should. It require you to crank it up a the way. 700-750 is all that's needed.

Keeping the tip clean wasnt the issue. I kept it very clean using both the sponge and wire brush. While tinning the actual connector, i didn't tin the tip of the iron bc then it would get solder on the connector making it impossible to slide into the housing.....right?

Generally tinning the tip of the iron should not leave a blob of solder on it as you would apply the solder then wipe the tip, that is tinning. It keeps the tip clean and promotes heat transfer.

I'm not sure what is happening with you but when I solder wires to bullet tubes I tin the wire and just the inside edge of the tube while it's held on to my third arm's alligator clip. I then hold the tinned wire in place, touch the iron to the tube and allow the solder to flow. Done.

Don't put the solder on the opposite side of the wire from the iron. This requires too much heat transfer through the wire strands and you'll overheat the wire. Feed the solder into the interface between the iron and the wire. The flux will aid in wetting and the solder will be drawn into the strands. If the solder does not wet out (e.g. google contact angle) the iron tip well, then it's time to clean the tip or time for a new tip.

Ah, I just saw there's a soldering sticky. I defer to it.

That is some of your problem then. Always tin the tip of the iron before soldering. After soldering one connection, wipe the tip off and re-tin before soldering another connection. If you get some solder on the outside of the bullets, just the soldering iron with a clean tip to remove the excess solder (quick passes with the iron).

Double post.

Lead Free solder can cause this.

I have the same exact soldering iron and have no problems using it. I keep the iron right around 650 degrees for all my soldering. If you have a local hobby shop have you thought about bringing in the iron and having someone there try and use it? Make sure you're tinning the tip it helps with the hear transfer oh and use use flux, it helps.

Someone already posted a link to how to solder correctly, I'd suggest reading that thread.

+1 :nod: I have the same soldering station, I use mine at 650* also, and I follow the 6 second rule talked about in the how to solder link with no problems. I also pre-tin my wires and any connector or tab I am soldering together.

I use a 40w iron most of the time. Using solder with lead in it and using flux helps a lot with lower powered irons. It takes longer to melt some things, but it does it. But it sure doesnt take minutes to do it.