Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

[jstiene]

Hello.

I have many years of basic soldering experience but have not replaced surface mount IC's such as an EEProm on a main board. I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for what soldering iron/tool would be the most successful and any other tips,etc. I have two traditional soldering irons with different wattages, but believe I need to use a different one for this application. Also, if there are any links to how to do this without lifting the traces, I would appreciate that as well.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and/or advice..

Joe

[stj]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

a hot air station is best,
but for an 8pin chip you can use an iron
flow lots of fresh solder over each side, and put VERY gentle pressure under it wih a knife or something and heat each side in turn to lift it.
then cleanup the board with braid.

if this is in a laptop you will have to use an iron anyway because the solder in most of those is almost pure tin and very hard to melt with air.

[jstiene]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

Hello. Is there a hot air station that someone might recommend in terms of brand,etc? Is it fairly easy to replace failed eeproms?

Thanks!
Joe

[freakaftr8]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

I have a aoyue 968a+. It's a great unit and never let's me down. I have performed many many IC replacements with this unit. It's a hot air resoldering station so it comes with the hot air unit plus the soldering iron built-in with an array of different tips for miniature soldering to large-scale soldering

[diif]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

Yes, it makes previously difficult soldering jobs easy like eeproms etc.
I bought a cheap one off ebay, although i know the JBC is well regarded.

[vinceroger69]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

This is a good video to watch it can be done with a soldering iron but i have lifted traces so does take practice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sghh8BK5zIw

[Alastair E]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

I changed an EEPROM on a Plasma Control-Board yesterday.

--It was one of those wide chips with only two rows of pins. I was able to flood one side with solder and keep molten all down the one side and carefully lift it slightly, then dry off all the solder with braid.
Did much the same with the other side and the chip was off.

Cleaned up the pads and straight on with the new one.

--All with just an iron, braid and 0.5mm Leaded solder.

[lookimback]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

I have a hot air station, but a lot of cheap boards delaminate real easily. I've become quite a fan of low-melt alloys such as Chip Quik for all IC removal. Chip Quik costs too much though. I bought a pound of this stuff. It works great.

Edit: Real good idea to have a fume extractor running.

[Comm]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

Wow, great thinking outside the box, that ChipQuik is so expensive, I'll have to try a pound of that stuff, Thanks

[lookimback]

Re: Solder Tool for EEProm removal/replacement

It's definitely worth the cost. Have to use Flux with it btw. A solder sucker works good to clean most of it up after you get the IC off, then you don't waste as much wick. Another tip: Put a little silicon lube in your solder sucker(if you use one) and it'll work way better and last longer.