Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #02090
To: beam@corp.sgi.com
From: "George Rix" rix.g@bmts.com
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 15:29:54 -0400
Subject: [alt-beam] Soldering Troubles
Hello, all!
Just a little while ago I completed my first prototype BEAM drone for my
hive project. While soldering, though I had some serious problems:
1) I would solder one end of the wire, and when I soldered the other end,
the heat traveled so quickly through the wire, that even if I just touched
it for an instant with the soldering iron, the other end would melt and come
off. I temporarily fixed that by using extremely hot hot glue on the joint
to keep it on for an instant longer, so I could solder the other end.
Anyhow, I have had some problems with this because it has separated one wire
from it's adjoining one so there is no connection, and since I can't find
this one solder bridge which I know is lurking around in there, it makes for
some weird reactions when I test it for resistance with my Amprobe
Multimeter (ancient, but mine at least).
Is there any wire which would keep the heat from conducting so quickly (I'm
using copper wire like in a telephone cable, my dad has tons and gave it to
me).
2) I know my soldering technique deserves improvement (which I plan to give
it this weekend), and I also know there is a solder bridge between one motor
connection and ground, besides the gap I mentioned earlier which broke one
connection. Any hints on how I can find it?
I've eliminated flux, and a few spots, but I still can't seem to find it.
I'm using a freeformed bicore from the tutorial on Ian's page, and I've
added two photodiodes in a similar configuration to the bicore head circuit
shown at BEAM Online. The motors are fairly efficient, right now I'm using
two AA batteries (I can't get my hands on a 1381j or a 2N7000 for the PM1
solarengine to power the bicore photovore) and overall, the connections are
fine, except in that one area. I've checked with my Amprobe to be sure of
that, and double checked too.
Thanks very much in advance,
Signing off,
Rob Rix
'If anything can possibly go wrong, it probably already has'-Murphy's law
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