Wattage is of less importance than tip temperature and size. Weller's better irons came with tips that were available in 3 ranges, approx 600, 70, and 800 degrees F. The 800 degree tips were the only ones that I have ever had any degree of success with. Other manufacturers use various types of schemes to adjust the tip temperature. A small narrow tip is fine for small work but will not do well for larger areas where a broad tip with more thermal mass will be more effective.. With most irons it becomes necessary to match the tip size and geometry with the job to be done.
Milt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Grabowski" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>Other Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 1:17 AM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Desoldering MSR2000 RX PCB >A recent thread discussed a problem disassembling a MSR2000 continuous duty >PA. That triggers this query: Does anyone know if Motorola used a higher >temperature solder on the MSR2000 units? > > My reason for asking is that this past weekend I had a hard time removing > three leaky electrolytic capacitors from a MSR2000 VHF receiver board. I > ended up using a 45 watt soldering pencil, which I only use for stubborn > jobs, but even it had a very hard time melting the solder on the positive > leads and didn't do anything for the leads soldered to ground. I've never > experienced this before on a PCB. In fact the 45 watt pencil usually works > well on double-sided PCBs with small to moderate groundplanes, although > I'll be the first to admit that it doesn't have enough heat to handle > really massive groundplanes found on some industrial PCBs. > > I've replaced components on many a Micor and Mitrek mobile using my 15 and > 20 watt soldering pencils without a problem, so this experience came as a > complete surprise. Any thoughts? > > 73 and aloha, Eric KH6CQ > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > >
