Need help soldering

[cpmer]

Ok i got wiikey modchip and thought i had someone to install it but turns out they cant so im gonna have to install it myself. Ive read some stuff already and watched a few videos on you tube and have seen some soldering done before but i am a total newb when it comes to this. First question is how close to the board to i put the soldering iron? Do I put it on top of it or just very very close when i need to solder the wire to the soldering point. I know i need to put tin on the points on the board first before I solder the wire to it but how much exactly should i put? Also any tips or suggestions for a first timer would be a appreciated. Im gonna practice on a old broken ps2 till i feel im ready.

 

[Fritzo]

Post 24 hours from now: "Help! Is my PS2 Dead?"

 

[JasonK]

WII, not PS2

 

[frostedflakes]

Use as little as possible. You'll have the urge to put more on, I know I did when I first started, but try not to. You can get sloppy when soldering fan wires or whatever together, but not for surface mount work.

Melt a very small amount of solder on the wire, melt a very small amount onto the solder pad, then stick the wire on top of the pad and melt them together.

Pictures on the website are deceptive, once you actually open up the Wii and get ready to do the install it can be very intimidating, the solder points are very small and close together. If you have any doubt about your abilities I would not risk it and find somebody to do the mod for you. I think I've heard of people taking stuff like this to electronics / TV repair shops and having them do it for a fair price. Might consider looking into that if you haven't already.

 

[akubi]

take a deep sniff when the solder starts melting

 

[frostedflakes]

And don't worry, according to the label it only causes cancer in the state of California, so if you're in one of the other states you're fine, lol.

 

[RU482]

I'd be willing to offer my services, as an electronics tech of ten or so years, to do the soldering for you. I've got a nice Metcal Iron and all the fancy tips at my office.

Let me know

 

[RallyMaster]

make sure your hands are steady....or be like my ex-roommate and drink four cups of coffee before soldering (yeah, i don't get the logic either)

 

[Jeff7]

And both the pad on the circuit board and the metal contact point on the pin must be hot for the solder to adhere properly.

If you really want to practice on some fresh boards, you can always get one of these.

 

[gsethi]

Make sure you have backup funds ready in case you need a backup wii.

 

[effowe]

You should really take it to an installer if you have never done it before. I lifted a pad on my board when trying to install my WiiKey and had to take it to one anyways. Like frostedflakes said, the points are much smaller and closer together than they look in the pictures. If you are really hellbent on doing it, I would find some old piece of computer equipment that you don't use anymore and practice on that. You have to learn how to tin your wires, and make a solid connection on points before you jump into something so delicate. Also, be sure you are using a 15w iron. 30w and up can seriously damage your board or fry chips if you aren't careful.

 

[cpmer]

ok but is it alright if the iron touches the board or should i keep it very close but off the board also when im done with the solders ive seen pics of the finished product and it looks like there something between the chip and board maybe like some kind of foam does anyone know what it is

 

[bignateyk]

What wattage is your soldering iron? How long is the chip rated to stand direct contact by the iron?

You really dont need to worry about burning it out unless you are contacting for more than like 2 seconds.

 

[frostedflakes]

Probably double sided tape to keep the modchip from flopping around after it's been installed.

Try not to touch any of the board with the iron, probably wouldn't mess anything up but will burn the board and get crud on your iron. You're supposed to touch the iron to the solder pads, but hold it on there for just enough time to melt the solder and make the connection, if you hold it on too long you can overheat stuff. With a 15w iron I think you'd have to hold it on quite a while to mess something up, but better safe than sorry don't leave it on too long. If you're having trouble getting a point soldered don't just keep on applying heat to it, leave it alone for a minute or two to get your composure and let it cool down, then try again.

Good luck.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: akubi
take a deep sniff when the solder starts melting

I like smelling solder. Gives me a headache tho...

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: akubi
take a deep sniff when the solder starts melting

I like smelling solder. Gives me a headache tho...

Thats because the flux is toxic. I always wear a breathing mask when i solder so I dont end up with cancer I do alot of soldering though.

 

[RaiderJ]

Use a 15-30 watt iron. Dab some flux onto the solder points. Tin your wires. Place wires onto solder points. Touch for <1 second with your iron. Should be a small puff of smoke and presto, your wire is connected. Do that for all the solder points.

Place the Wiikey in place, and bend the wires over the chip solder points. Get a blob of solder on your iron and touch it to the chip. After the wire is connected, snip off any excess. Repeat for the other wires. Done!