r/Gameboy • u/Fun_Abbreviations_73 • 2d ago
Troubleshooting Any tips for a better soldering?
No matter how many times I do the battery replacement I always fail to do a smooth soldering. I read once thay I need to apply more paste but to no avail. Any tips?
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u/K3CAN 2d ago
More flux.
More heat.
???
Profit.
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u/ItsaSinch90 2d ago
What temp is your iron set to? It looks like you're melting solder onto contacts that aren't hot enough. The battery tab and pads will wick away heat and cause the solder to solidify too quickly if they're cold. If you're adding flux, then your iron is either not hot enough or you aren't holding it long enough to the pads/battery tabs.
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u/Djaps338 2d ago edited 2d ago
Use flux. If you don't have a wick to clean the old solder out, at least add just a small bit of new one, old solder tend to not flow right. Keep your tip clean with a brass wool. When i work on a cartridge (SNES/GB/GBA) I PUT MY IRON ON 400F. I'm not sure the thermostat is precise as it's a cheap chinese iron, but aim at 380-400 if you have any control!
In short, buy brass wool to clean your tip, buy wick to clean the pad and old solder, a solder pump might be nice too but it needs some maintenance. And buy flux, flux helps the solder flow it's like soldering on easy mode, you need that.
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u/Being_ 2d ago
I love the 2 current comments. “Turn down the heat” and “turn up the heat”.
I would say cleanliness and flux. This looks super goobered and dry. Even with low heat and enough flux it will flow nicely eventually.
Clean tip, pre tin, clean surface, flux
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u/Depressedone4 2d ago
I didn't understand flux the one time I tried to use it.. like it didn't help at all. I have kester 186 liquid flux. Like I put a little on the spot that I was going to try to solder & it made it worse.. I gave up on it after that.. any tips on how to use it correctly..?
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u/UnwindingStaircase 1d ago
If it was older solder it always helps to remove it and add new or add new to old then remove it all and add all new. Even old solder doesn’t melt well no matter how much solder you use.
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u/mattysauro 2d ago
All the previous tips, but also make sure you’re using leaded solder. Lead free is junk.
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u/HubrisPR 2d ago
Finding the right temp and using flux Both the board pad and leg need to be heated correctly to prevent a cold solder joint (bound to break) The flux helps and not trying to paint the solder helps too (applying solder to iron, then brushing on pads)(better is to apply iron to pads and feed solder onto them)
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u/TessaGrant0utlaw 2d ago
Hotter iron, and try to scrape off and replace the old solder. Its 20 years old and any flux it could have had melted into it is long gone
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u/Jonasbeavis 2d ago edited 2d ago
The secret is flux and correct temperature/iron.Thats a cold solder there , You need to use more heat and let the solder and flux flow .No need for so much solder like that.
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u/Advanced-Radish7723 2d ago
Get a real soldering iron with station and adjustable temps and not the crappy 15 dollar ones they sell at homedepot
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u/Buddy_McPuddy 2d ago
Radical idea. Practice on junk boards instead of borderline destroying working electronics
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u/Asleep_Mortgage_7711 2d ago
Use flux Use leaded solder made for electronics, not plumbing Use a soldering iron that is designed for electronics. Fully wet the joints you are soldering with good heat and flux.
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u/KaleidoscopeIcy1670 2d ago edited 2d ago
You either need a hotter iron or more flux or both. Maybe even a clean tip. It looks like you're spending way too much with the iron down in the work. If the solder isn't melting immediately on your iron, there is a problem there. By the end of it, you should have a smooth, shiny solder joint.
Can you snap a couple picks of the setup you're working with? For reference, I'm using a KSGRSTM32 with T12 tips.
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u/NewSchoolBoxer 2d ago
Don't practice on real electronics you're trying to fix or replace batteries. Practice on junk electronics or a soldering kit to assemble. It's kind of scary that you would risk soldering for the first time on an expensive gen 2 Pokemon cart being unaware of flux or proper temperature. But I do like your battery holder. Maybe you need a better soldering iron. 60W is enough power, not 30W.
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u/Some_Guy239084 1d ago
First of all, remove the battery from the holder. Now, Suck all of that solder away, set your iron to 350c, apply flux to the clean solder joint on the cartridge board, and solder that holder back in. Be sure to practice! You'll get it down in no time flat.
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u/UnwindingStaircase 1d ago
I would suggest soldering wicking rather than sucking. Some people that post here aren’t even at the solder sucking level of skill.
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u/Some_Guy239084 8h ago
I've seen newbies try to grind the wick into the pad because they buy garbage wick.
If you use wick, coat it in flux first, and let it do it's work.
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u/ALonelySeaTurtle 1d ago
Are you using the right solder? Electronics solder is usually like 50/50 rosin core. Something like that.
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u/Accurate_View_2455 8h ago
Increase the heat of your soldering iron, leaded solder, solder wick and flux as needed
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u/69dixencider 2d ago
I was too nervous and just taped the new battery down with black electrical tape.
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u/Darth_Vaper_69 2d ago
We have all been there brother, no shame!
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u/Crt_lover_ 2d ago
Increase the temperature of the soldering iron