geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Geroximo on Wed, 10 August 2016, 12:37:57

Title: Is this soldering iron too hot for keyboard soldering?
Post by: Geroximo on Wed, 10 August 2016, 12:37:57

Hello guys,

i have the following soldering iron:
https://www.amazon.com/ERSA-0920BD-Multitip-25W-230V230BD/dp/B0009QX1S8

It has no temperature regulation and a max. temperature of 450 °C or 842 °F.
Is this too hot?

I already used it for desoldering some scrap keyboards and got a few lifted pads.
Did the pads lift because the iron was too hot or because the PCBs were low quality?

Can I solder my Nerd60 with this soldering iron or would you say that it is not sufficient for keyboard soldering?

Regards
Geroximo

Title: Re: Is this soldering iron too hot for keyboard soldering?
Post by: Tactile on Wed, 10 August 2016, 13:03:42

It will work if you're careful. The best temp range for soldering is 350-400 deg Celsius. Brand name solder is usually labelled with the recommended temp.

Title: Re: Is this soldering iron too hot for keyboard soldering?
Post by: Tactile on Wed, 10 August 2016, 13:21:19

And those pads probably lifted from the time the iron was on the joint. It takes longer to de-solder than to solder. If you are soldering with this unit, get on the joint, heat the contacts, add the solder and get out. Don't linger there or the heat has time build up & go where you don't want it.

Title: Re: Is this soldering iron too hot for keyboard soldering?
Post by: Spopepro on Wed, 10 August 2016, 17:23:29

Yep, just a touch too hot, and maybe a bit light on the power. For most circumstances you're fine but I've been frustrated on occasion with a 50W station when soldering to a pad directly on a thick ground plane.

Desoldering with an iron is tough, much tougher than soldering. I'm also going to guess you were not using flux. Even with a really good iron you can easily wreck parts when desoldering. Especially with lead-free solder, which really, really doesn't like to flow, especially after the flux burns out.

So you *should* be able to solder just fine, but you will need to move briskly. Tactile's description is spot on.

Title: Re: Is this soldering iron too hot for keyboard soldering?
Post by: Dwarlorf on Wed, 10 August 2016, 18:54:57

Unless you're really strapped for money why not buy a cheap one with a regulator.
https://www.amazon.de/L%C3%B6tstation-CT-LSK-regelbar-100-450%C2%B0C-230V/dp/B004Q61Q66/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1470873067&sr=8-6&keywords=soldering

I bought a similar one and I'm glad I did. It would be a shame and expensive if you ruin your PCB because your soldering iron is too hot.

Title: Re: Is this soldering iron too hot for keyboard soldering?
Post by: Geroximo on Thu, 11 August 2016, 10:18:51

Okay guys,
I'm going to buy a cooler iron. Better safe than sorry.
Thx for help.