Soldering Help!

[Simon Tibbett]

Hey,

Dont know where this would go so I put it here. I have a PS2 modchip and a 30watt solder gun, would a 30watt work on a PS2 or 15watt? Any help on this and on soldering is appreciated!

 

[F1man]

The 15 watt should work. but be VERY careful!!!!!!!

 

[CrackHoor]

A 30 watt will work fine, if you're quick and careful. Put fresh solder on your chip leads and (quickly) on the board points. Then put your wire in place and follow the 3-sec rule: 1 second applying heat with iron, one second applying solder to joint, 1 second applying heat to sodered joint. The solder should be smooth & shiny when you're done, not grey or blobby.

Here's a site with a couple diagrams that may help.

 

[Simon Tibbett]

Thanks for the link! As well as the help!

 

[CrackHoor]

No prob! I'm a communications/electronics tech so I fire up the soldering iron every day. It's kinda like riding a bike: I know how to do it, but I'm not sure I can explain it well.

Also, the times on that page are a bit longer than what I'd recommend because he's soldering more heat-resistant stuff than you'll find in your PS2.

 

[Simon Tibbett]

Thanks, so I should be safe if I solder the wires without much heat? Because like I said, I have a 30watt and it says 15watt. But do I even need to touch the main board or can I just mealt the solder and do it without touching? Thanks!

 

[CrackHoor]

I've chipped about a dozen PSX's, and I found it works best to put fresh solder on the wire and a small dab on the board point where you want to put it. Then hold them together and tap, tap, tap the wire with your iron. Give a light tug on the wire after it's cool to make sure it's solid and you should be set.

 

[Tom M]

Originally posted by CrackHoor
I've chipped about a dozen PSX's, and I found it works best to put fresh solder on the wire and a small dab on the board point where you want to put it. Then hold them together and tap, tap, tap the wire with your iron. Give a light tug on the wire after it's cool to make sure it's solid and you should be set.

It's a bit tougher because the points on the PS2 are a fraction of the size of the ones we had on the PS1's.

If you crack off a resistor, bridge the gap with solder and just attatch the wire to that. It happened to me on my friends PS2, and it works fine (6 months still going strong)

 

[Bogun]

I thoght the modchips for the PS2 have like 30+ wires to solder?

Im too lazy/cackhanded to solder 30+ wires onto a mainboard. Wasnt so hard for my PSX though.

 

[CrackHoor]

Originally posted by Tom M


It's a bit tougher because the points on the PS2 are a fraction of the size of the ones we had on the PS1's.

Yeah, I've only put a single jumper into my own PS2, but the basic idea still works. Just find the right balance of coffee and sleeping pills to give you the steady hands...

 

[hanker]

To solder you's probly have to touch the board for a second or two, just to heat it up for a better connection. The last thing you want is a cold solder joint. Which is when air pockets get in the solder joint from not heating it up enough.

 

[Simon Tibbett]

Thanks for the help! It should get here tommorow or Wedensday! I need it to play GTC, right Tom!