HELP PLEASE Soldering XT90 Connectors onto an ESC

[sparts]

Could someone please help??
I am trying to solder an XT90 connector to my new ESC but I'm really struggling to stop the metal part from coming loose due to the heat of the soldering iron.
Any idea's please !!
Thanks

[waveydavey]

Believe it or not your soldering iron isn't hot enough, or more than likely hasn't got enough wattage to transfer the heat and you're spending too much time heating which is allowing the surround to heat up past melting. What are you using?

[trillian]

I have soldered XT60s and I think in general the key is that you need an iron that can heat up the end of the connector sticking out as fast as possible so that the solder will melt and bond the wire in and then you can hit it with a damp sponge.

What I do also with XT60s or Deans is plug in the opposite one for more support and a bit of heat dispersion.

Tin the wires really well and dip them in flux, tin the end of the iron to make the best heat transfer and then speed is the key because if you have to apply heat for too long it starts to get the plastic all guey.

For me, the thing that totally transformed soldering was getting a butane torch. It heats up fast and is way hotter than the electric ones I have had. I use the 60/40 solder and little tins of that pasty looking flux.

[sparts]

Believe it or not your soldering iron isn't hot enough, or more than likely hasn't got enough wattage to transfer the heat and you're spending too much time heating which is allowing the surround to heat up past melting. What are you using?

Thanks waveydavey,
I'm using a 40W iron and it has been great for all my other soldering so not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Thanks trillian, I'm wondering the last time I soldered if I used the male half to support it. Unfortunately I've used all my spare female ones so I'll order some more ans see what happens.

[trillian]

Yeah it's one of those things where timing is everything and you get one shot and have to nail it first time. But I still use XT60s and Deans for RXs and small helis, for everything else I've gone EC5s and they're so easy to solder and they stay secure but then you've got enough surface to grip and pull them apart.

I still don't like soldering and find it a bit tedious but it's soooooooooooooo much easier with the torch, I could never go back to an electric iron (although, to be fair, I never had a really posh one like the Weller station thing).

Thanks waveydavey,
I'm using a 40W iron and it has been great for all my other soldering so not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Thanks trillian, I'm wondering the last time I soldered if I used the male half to support it. Unfortunately I've used all my spare female ones so I'll order some more ans see what happens.

[waveydavey]

It's not big enough I'm afraid, you're having to hold it against the pot for far too long and the heats transfers to it's surroundings because of it. You run the risk of the solder whicking the cable also and the solder will transfer down the cable too far. Bigger iron I'm afraid and a large tip to transfer the heat quickly.

[kenny d]

As said 40w is way to small , I use a 100w iron & that’s bad enough for big jobs

[Grumpy]

I agree with the others, 40W is not enough for large connectors. However when soldering XT connectors even with a good iron there is a trick to prevent the pins coming loose. You just plug in a mating connector (preferably with wires pre-soldered on) which acts as a heatsink, plus holds the pins in place.

[PKNEC]

Some top advice above.
I struggled with 40 watt on xt60 so went for an 80 watt.
Definitely connect a pair as it helps stabilise the pins and a good tining of the tip as this is were the heat transfer is made.

[Gixxer]

As above. A 40W iron is too small. I use a 60W for all connectors, and make sure you use a decent chisel tip or similar. Not a pointy one.

[sparts]

Thanks to all. I'll have to get a bigger soldering iron.