Solder Blobs

mccavazos

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 28, 2004
Messages
407
Location
Irving, Texas
I have been having many problems with the solder blob on my McCapsule. It seems to go bad, and must be remelted every 2 weeks or so. I have removed all of the solder twice, and replaced it with new solder, but every 2 or 3 weeks; the light starts flickering until I remelt it. Does anyone notice this with their McCapsule or LE? What type of solder should I use? I know that basic rosin core electronic solder was not designed for surface contact. And has anyone come up with a way to replace the blob with something else?
 

Owen

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Messages
2,048
Location
AL
I'm using a spring, part of a Mag 2AA tailcap spring to make contact with my Pilas until I get some of those little magnets that Emilion is selling in the exchange forums. I tried soldering a couple of different springs directly to the contact, but they'd just break off the first time I turned the twisty to constant on. I have to put the spring on top of the battery, stick it straight up into the body, hold it in place, then flip the light over and put the tailcap on.
Kind of a pain.
My other thought was to drill a small hole in the center of the PCB(and a separate one for the + to the converter), and put a little screw in it, so there is a protruding contact like on the stock capsules, but it's a little late for that since I've already got the capsule together.
Don't know if that helps or not, but you're not alone! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 

Zigzago

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
439
Location
Wisconsin, USA
I've had to re-do the blob on my MadMax Lite module when it got worn flat and wasn't making good contact.

Following advice on other CPF threads I used solder with silver content as it is supposed to be harder. I got it at Radio Shack. It has worked fairly well although some wear is visible.



Thread 1

Thread 2
 

Anglepoise

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 4, 2004
Messages
1,554
Location
Pacific Northwest
I used Mr.McGizmo's suggestion of soldering the head of a small brass screw to the + area on the board. Has worked perfectly.
Used regular multi core solder.
 

DSpeck

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Messages
1,189
Location
Toronto, Ontario
You could also take a penny, cut it down or punch out a small disk, and solder that in place - it should be plenty for the job.
 

Chop

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
3,635
Location
Louisiana
I use silver sodler too. It is tougher than other solders. Soldering button to the contact is a good idea. Just make sure that what you use doesn't rise beyond the rim of the can. If it does, it will defeat the reverse polarity protection.
 
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