Best soldering iron for tape light

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Electric_kool_aid

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Journeyman 02
Gettin a new solder iron for tape light connections, haven’t done this much in the past always used the lousy connectors which I want to avoid. Any advice on what to get ? Something simple and works good with tape light. Thanks
 
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I'm a fan of the Milwaukee m12 soldering iron. I don't remember what I used for flux, but I would tin the wire, tin the soldering iron tip, dunk it in flux to clean the junk off, and put a dollop of solder on the tape, then heat up the tape with the wire touching. They would melt quick and bond nicely. Then I would clean all the flux off with CRC QD electronics cleaner.
 
going_commando said:
I'm a fan of the Milwaukee m12 soldering iron. I don't remember what I used for flux, but I would tin the wire, tin the soldering iron tip, dunk it in flux to clean the junk off, and put a dollop of solder on the tape, then heat up the tape with the wire touching. They would melt quick and bond nicely. Then I would clean all the flux off with CRC QD electronics cleaner.
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The battery-operated is a good idea. My use of a corded iron goes way back. I’m old!
 
going_commando said:
I'm a fan of the Milwaukee m12 soldering iron. I don't remember what I used for flux, but I would tin the wire, tin the soldering iron tip, dunk it in flux to clean the junk off, and put a dollop of solder on the tape, then heat up the tape with the wire touching. They would melt quick and bond nicely. Then I would clean all the flux off with CRC QD electronics cleaner.
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Awesome that’s what I’ve been Looking at. I did a lot of soldering when I started but it’s been about 10 years I haven’t done it hardly at all. Any good YouTube videos or advice you’d give for tape light solder ? Or just low volt in general I mean that’s pretty much all I’d be soldering
 
Electric_kool_aid said:
Any good YouTube videos or advice you’d give for tape light solder
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Tape light solder?? :rolleyes:

If you are familiar with electronic soldering this will be no different. ALWAYS use rosin core solder and if you have trouble getting the connection to "take" then clean it up and apply a little flux. NEVER USE A PLUMBING FLUX OR SOLDER!! I recommend Kester rosin core 60/40 (tin/lead) in .062" diameter solder and MG Chemicals - 8341-10ML 8341 No Clean Flux Paste,

As for an iron, 30W with a fine tip is fine. It's important to keep the tip clean and tinned.

https://www.amazon.com/Kester-Solder24-6040-0061-Solder-190ðC-453-592G/dp/B00DE3GG8K/ref=asc_df_B00DE3GG8K?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333160033505&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932708315091&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863980022154&th=1



-Hal
.
 
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retirede said:
I’m happy using a Weller 30W pencil-type iron on all types of circuit boards, including LED tape. You want a fine tip.
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Used a Weller think it was a 25 watt soldering pencil type soldering iron to solder 15 or 16 printed circuit boards on a 25" Heathkit color TV years ago. Also still have the Weller 100/140 watt soldering gun my electrician dad purchased for me while in Vo Tech class. Weller makes a nice product. Always liked to have a wet sponge to clean soldering tips. Great improvement when they came out with coated soldering gun tips. My 100/140 Weller soldering gun has a copper element that should be cleaned then tinned before each use.I also liked using rosin core solder. Think 63% tin & 37% lead had the lowest melting point. Not sure of melting point for lead free solder.
 
hbiss said:
Tape light solder?? :rolleyes:

If you are familiar with electronic soldering this will be no different. ALWAYS use rosin core solder and if you have trouble getting the connection to "take" then clean it up and apply a little flux. NEVER USE A PLUMBING FLUX OR SOLDER!! I recommend Kester rosin core 60/40 (tin/lead) in .062" diameter solder and MG Chemicals - 8341-10ML 8341 No Clean Flux Paste,

As for an iron, 30W with a fine tip is fine. It's important to keep the tip clean and tinned.

https://www.amazon.com/Kester-Solder24-6040-0061-Solder-190ðC-453-592G/dp/B00DE3GG8K/ref=asc_df_B00DE3GG8K?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333160033505&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932708315091&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863980022154&th=1



-Hal
.
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I will add to this. For the record, the eutectic alloy for tine lead solder is 63/37, but 60/40 is close enough that it works. Clean is the important thing, as hbliss pointe out. But also CLEAN is important. Add to that clean everything. I probably made my point. But I am talking, wipe off the solder itself with alcohol or Tri Clor. DON'T straighten it out with your finger, just the oil from that can affect a solder joint. Also don't use too much solder, you should be able to see the contour of everything you are soldering together including the stranding on the wire.
 
hbiss said:
Soldering is an art. Anybody can do it, but it takes years to learn how to do it right.

-Hal
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Yeah, I worked on Nuclear Submarines for a few years. Got qualified for nuclear soldering including mini pin connector plugs. First thing I do with every guitar I have owned is tear it apart and resolder all joints.
 
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