What is a mechanical solder sucker?

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Well I got all the capacitors in, not sure if I should power up the board, i'm not confident in skills. Do you guys think it looks ok or some things might be shorted once power is applied?

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

If anyone could help me choose some 680uf 4v capacitors below:

http://www.digikey.ca/product-search...=0&pageSize=25


I don't know exactly what ESR value to look for but I would like the capacitors to be close to 8mmx8mm although there is not much choice in those dimensions. I would need the width to be as close to 8mm as possible so they don't touch each other side by side.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Actually I guess it's a poly since it doesn't have the vents on top. So my question is can I replace this capacitor with a sleeveless capacitor? It basically looks like an all metal cap but it has the same values.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

They are exactly like this

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

from what i can res 680uf 4volts 105c TMJ and on the top its written 67 c7

that sounds like a poly already - got a foto?

[lookimback]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

I've used the spring loaded ones for years and never damaged a board. I used to really hate them, but then I discovered that a bit of silicon grease injected into the tip prevents the solder from sticking and makes them work pretty good.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

from what i can res 680uf 4volts 105c TMJ and on the top its written 67 c7

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

what is the original cap details?

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

yes, if you select it carefully.

Ok, can you elaborate on select carefully? I was only going by 680uf and 4volts.

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

yes, if you select it carefully.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Well according to post #4 in this thread, it's perfectly fine to replace the aluminum electrolytic caps with solid polymer ones:

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...40&postcount=4

Is that true?

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

no
polyester caps arent polarised, electrolytics are.

unless you mean polymer

Sorry I meant polymer.

I would not replace polys with aluminum electrolytics. They have some different properties and the designers of the board decided to use polys for a reason, otherwise they'd have gone with less expensive aluminum caps.

Actually it's the other way around. Right now I have aluminum electrolytic and I'd like to replace them with aluminum polymer capacitors, would that be ok? I can't find 680uf 4v caps in aluminum electrolytic only in aluminum polymer. I can find 680uf in higher voltage like the ones I have now but the dimensions are usually too big and I don't think they would fit.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

I would not replace polys with aluminum electrolytics. They have some different properties and the designers of the board decided to use polys for a reason, otherwise they'd have gone with less expensive aluminum caps.

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

no
polyester caps arent polarised, electrolytics are.

unless you mean polymer

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Now that I think of it I think these caps will be in the way of the heatsink so I will order some new ones 8mmx8mm. If I replace polyester caps with aluminum caps would that be ok? The only ones that would work from digikey are aluminum caps 680uf 6.3v and they are 8x8mm.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Well thanks for all your help, I figured out a technique where I apply flux to the solder on top of the vias to be clean and then I align my safety pin and I apply heat with the iron. The the pin goes through almost like butter and I then wiggle it and pull it out and it clears the hole.

Now some of my caps are the right capacitance but too big physically for the ones they are replacing(1800uf 35v instead of 6.3v) or they hit each other side by side, if they don't touch the board does it matter if they don't interfere with other components on the board?

Oh by the way, nothing is soldered yet.

Here is a pick below

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

soldering a pcb, you can use any flux, but if it's too agressive you need to clean up the mess after.

where flux becomes important is if you need to solder brass, aluminum or something "dirty"
then the different chemical formula's make all the difference.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

Lead free solder is stronger but requires higher temperatures. How well it bonds in a solder joint depends on your soldering skills. You still have to be mindful of temperature and timing or you'll get a crappy joint or damage the board with either. For a beginner the higher heat requirement may pose a greater threat of overheating the work.

[johnnyh55]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

you can use leadfree solder just fine with a programable temp iron like yours.
it's only a probem for people with $10 irons!

i use 0.7mm myself.
---
if you want o buy some solder, let use select it for you so it has good flux in it.

Do you think it will bond better or probably not?

[stj]

Re: What is a mechanical solder sucker?

you can use leadfree solder just fine with a programable temp iron like yours.
it's only a probem for people with $10 irons!

i use 0.7mm myself.
---
if you want to buy some solder, let use select it for you so it has good flux in it.