How To : Solder Your RC Car!

[@Garagegraderacecar]

step 1... go to adrenaline... step 2... hand over your stuff to Jake and pay the man to do it.

[@Tom-bo2wj]

Got some good tips I will try on my next ecs. Do have a few questions. I was always told liquid flux not paste and what are the advantages to not using built connectors and soldering right to the motor.

[@Adrenalinercracing]

I’ve used both paste and liquid flux and had good results so I dont have a preference one way or the other. The advantage to not running bullets is by eliminating a connection you lower the resistance and have an overall cleaner flow of electricity whereas the advantage to running bullets is quick disconnect and connect. Both options work but for racing I definitely prefer the cleanest most efficient option for power delivery.

[@joshneff2609]

My solder does not stick to my motor tabs. Guessing my solder is not correct. Set temp to 750. Used flux. Not exactly sure what the solder is since label is partially removed

[@Adrenalinercracing]

I use Miniatronics Rosin Core 60/40 Solder. You could try bumping up the temperature as well or holding the iron for longer, it sounds like it the motor tab may not be hot enough to accept the solder.

[@rubenmejia4881]

It could also be the size of the tip used on your iron, it may not be large enough to provide enough thermal mass to properly heat up the tabs. Compensating with a higher heat can help but ideally it's better to use a larger flat chisel type of tip. You always want to have a tip that's at least the size of the work area if not up to 80%. Another factor could be the iron itself not being able to crank out enough power. Low wattage irons in a case like this aren't much good. I would recommend something between the 75 to 100 watts. The higher the better because it struggles less putting out power.

[@RoccoDoucette]

What is the point of flux and what is it?

[@Adrenalinercracing]

Flux can be found in either a paste or liquid form, paste being the option here, which helps to get more even flow of solder throughout the wire which results in a cleaner & stronger joint

[@rubenmejia4881]

Flux is the secret sauce to soldering. There are many different types as well as kinds but the classic It is typically made from pine tree rosin. It removes impurities from metals to create a clean surface for the solder to adhere to. Also it helps make clean shiny strong joints. So those black spots you see in the video was essentially lack of flux because the one in the wire had already burned off. It's always good to use extra flux in a situation like that. Sometimes the one within the core is not enough.