Soldering Connections to Bflex

[gubawatts]

I'm about to plunge into my first home-brew LED light, likely based on Achesalot's design. I've done some fairly fine electronics soldering, but I'm not familiar with soldering to the "thru-type" lugs I've seen in the pictures of the B-flex.

Do you basically just strip the wire back enough to allow the bare portion to fit into the hole, and flush on the other side, then solder to the ring ? :thinking:

Anyone have a picture of one of these controllers with the wires soldered on?

This forum is great.

Mark

 

[dom]

Hi Mark
You are correct in your method -or that's what i do anyway:thumbsup:
I usually just use flux instead of tinning the wire (teflon silver plated).

This is a MaxFlex -but similar holes as the bFlex.

Cheers
Dom

 

[Low_Rider]

Another option if space isn't too much of an issue is to solder some PCB pins in the holes and then solder your wires to the pins. :thumbsup:


Dave.

 

[dom]

Hi Dave -long time no hear -been away have you?

Good idea with the pins if you want to change the wires in the future -bloody hard to get the solder out otherwise:thumbsup:

Cheers
Dom

 

[gubawatts]

Thanks guys, that clears it up for me.:thumbsup:

 

[nightrider]

Hey. I wonder if George has ever considered offering a pre-wired version with say, 8" leads already soldered in place, for $5 more? This would surely take some of the apprehension out of installing a bFlex, and probably result in fewer unhappy customers who damage their bFlex/maxFlex/nFlex.

 

[Low_Rider]

Hi Dave -long time no hear -been away have you?

Hi Dom, I'm still floating around! :wave:

Unfortunately I've been lurking a lot more than contributing on any forums recently.

I graduated from uni at the end of last year, so I'm sure I'll be posting a little more frequently from now on. I do have a couple of projects drawn up or in various stages of completion which I'm hoping to finish off soon. :devil:

I'm sorry to hear of your accident, wishes for a speedy recovery dude! I'm sure with a bit of extra thinking time you must have another light or two brewing yourself?

I wonder if George has ever considered offering a pre-wired version with say, 8" leads already soldered in place, for $5 more?

As far as I understand, George's boards are populated at an assembly house with an automated system so the extra cost involved in hand assembly for wired boards would be extremely high.

I guess it would be a nice option, but I'm sure most people tackling their own light would either be able to solder wires themselves or easily be able to get in touch with someone who will do it for them. There would be plenty of Modders on CPF and MTBR who would be more than happy to help out I'm sure!


As a side note I've been looking at a few micro surface mount terminals / connectors for a similar application which might work for some drivers, I'll have to get hold of a few and have a play.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[ifor powell]

The problem with doing the wires for you is which way do you want them? All going one way is not nessasaraly the right thing for every instalation. Some going one way some the other is quite often the right thing and then the switch could be either way...

Ifor

 

[dom]

Hi ifor
Yeah -i was thinking the same -wouldn't matter how George wired them up -still wouldn't suit everyone. Best thing to do is learn how to solder well.

Thanks Dave -congrats on graduating.:thumbsup: Look forward to any projects you do.
Have though about making lots of different lights while recuperating -just need the time.

Cheers
Dom

 

[marshan2]

Good idea with the pins if you want to change the wires in the future -bloody hard to get the solder out otherwise:thumbsup:

Apply the soldering iron tip to the hole, pull out the wire, then reheat and blow out the solder. It takes a few goes but it does a good job so that you can put a new wire in after a mistake or quick test before doing he proper job.

 

[Low_Rider]

Apply the soldering iron tip to the hole, pull out the wire, then reheat and blow out the solder.

While I admit to doing the same, the use of a solder sucker or some de-soldering braid may be a little safer.

The main thing to be careful of is applying too much heat if you're not overly experienced at soldering.