Tough solder job today

jar155

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Note: I posted this on RGP, but it never showed up, so sorry for the cross post if that eventually shows over there.

I went to help someone with some repairs on his Family Guy and we needed to replace a couple of transistors on his driver board. It looked as if these same two transistors had been replaced before, as they looked different than all the rest. Anyway, after getting them off the board, it was insanely difficult to get them soldered back on. The board just wouldn't any solder and it would stick to the leg of the transistor. I noticed that the solder pads are minuscule on the driver board, much smaller than what I have worked with on my Lord of the Rings when it was an easy job.

Any tips on how to work with the board a bit easier? We couldn't finish up today because his coil was also burned up and we also needed some other stuff, so we'll do it all when I head back after ordering more parts. Would a stitch make this an easier job?

First time in 20 years I've had trouble with a soldering iron...
 
I'm just an interested onlooker here, but I have noticed that the only time I have had issues like you are describing is when the pads have lifted and there is no metal on the board to contact the solder to.

then I ended up jumpering that spot to another good place on the board.

I am certain you are much more experienced with a soldering iron than I, so I hope this doesn't come across wrong. :)

I am interested in some feedback from the experts on this one.
 
Use jumper wires to a better location. If you are having an issue with it holding, it makes sense that that will never be a good connection point. You should put in a socket to hold the parts if so replacement will be easier next time. Also you might check to see the reason of the failing parts and upgrade them to a higher voltage part.
 
Did you use flux? Flux paste can work very well in a situation like that. Fine grit sandpaper can also take off any oxidation on the pads as well as legs of IC's.

What is the wattage of the iron? There can be some large ground planes associated with transistors.
 
Did you use flux? Flux paste can work very well in a situation like that. Fine grit sandpaper can also take off any oxidation on the pads as well as legs of IC's.

What is the wattage of the iron? There can be some large ground planes associated with transistors.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest :)
 
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