You should get a better iron. The main problem you have is heat transfer. If you use a small tip the heat does not transfer to the job quickly enough and you WILL damage the connection/electronics.
Dont superheat your iron as this will just burn your resin up before it does it's job. I never clean the tip with anything other than a wet sponge or a wet cotton rag. You can damage the coating on it and then you will need to buy a new tip.
The best tip I can give is practice, practice, practice.

Terry

Excellent. Many good suggestions, but using a good paste flux can really help. Helps pull the heat to where it's needed, cuts through oxidation, makes it easier and quicker to get a solid joint.

well i got it done. i ended up buying a tc950 from hobbytown about 1hr away. i also bought some tip cleaner and flux paste.

i was originally trying to use traxxas connectors but gave up on that due to the gauge of wire. so, i switched to deans connectors and it made it much easier. with the help of you guys and some videos on youtube and the right stuff (at least better stuff than i had) it was pretty easy.......once i got the hang of it.


shaun h

Good to hear. Now that you have the hang of soldering 8AWG wires you can solder just about anything you'd need for RC. The better soldering iron will be a big help.

I think it's ridiculous the size of wire some of these packs use. I know it's good to keep the resistance as low as possible, but I really think 10-12AWG wire is sufficient for 1/8 electric. Soon we'll see Turnigy packs with 6AWG or 4AWG, that will be the day!!!

I'm surprised Dean's hasn't released a bigger version of their T-plug Ultra connector. I use Dean's in my 1/8 vehicles, but have always believed they are right on the edge of handling the current and keeping resistance down. I think something like 150% the size of the original connectors would be great. If nothing else it would be a lot easier to solder them onto 8-10AWG.

Absolutely true about the wire gauge. I've opened up my Turnigy packs and opted for 12AWG in stead of 8. I've not seen a increase in temps on batteries or wires after doing that.