0603 LEDs

[slaveofconvention]

So I was ordering some LEDs for Lobo and K-9 and figured to save on postage I'd stock up on some for my upcoming Xbox mod....

The 0603 LEDs which you need to use to change the colours on the ring of light arrived today (along with everything else) and O M G I have NO clue how the HELL I'm going to be able to solder that fine.... I think first thing I'll have to do is go see if I can get a MUCH finer soldering Tip. I bought plenty of spare LEDS and have 2 spare boards for the ROL so I have a little room for practice but, frankly, I'm skeered!!!! Heh

[slaveofconvention]

lol

This should give you some better idea of why I'm worried heh

From right to left, we have a 5mm led, a 3mm led then the 0603 - there are two miniscule solder points at the top n bottom of that itsy teeny rectangle which I'd estimate is about 1.5mm x 0.5mm in size - thats the LED, not the solder points - they're about 1/3 of the width, square which I figure works out at about 0.18mm x 0.18mm - gonna be fun

[nevermind1534]

HOLY S***! get a tiny amount of liquified solder on the board, set them down, I guess. Or use hot air to solder them on.

[Oneslowz28]

there is a awesome smd soldering tutorial on sparkfun.

[Kayin]

I solder those with a needle as my soldering iron tip.

[Collinstheclown]

I solder them all the time! It's not so bad when you do some.

Let me know if you need assistance.




-CollinstheClown

[slaveofconvention]

From what I've been reading, the "easiest" way is with an extra person - one to hold the led with a pair of tweezers while the other deals with the iron n solder - time for my wife to get her modding cherry popped I think lol

And I just have to hope I dont end up with a pair of tweezers soldered to my control board *grin*

[billygoat333]

you could always use the tweezers as a power lead

[Luke122]

I agree with the needle comment. Replace the soldering iron tip with a sewing needle, or maybe a solid strand of wire..? That should give you the small size you need for that kind of precision. Also, what about a dab of adhesive to hold it in place while soldering?

[Collinstheclown]

You don't want to solder with the needle sized tips. It may sound like a good idea, but really your going to have a hard time keeping solder at the tip. It ends up higher up on the needle then you have to hold the iron at a wacky 80°+ angle.

The best way (IMO) to solder those LEDs are as follows:

-Start off by adding some flux to the pads, flux is the secret to SMD work. Hold the iron tip (standard tip, not a needle) on the pad and apply fresh solder. This should form a little bubble on the pad.
-Then with tweezers hold the LED horizontal with the board, on the pad. Heat the solder bobble while pressing down lightly on the LED, this should solder the LED down for now.
-Now go to the other side of the LED and apply fresh solder.
Remember to put the iron tip on the joint and add solder, don't put solder on th tip and "carry" it to the joint.
-Go back to the first joint and add a tiny bit of fresh solder the same way.

Now, since you have to remove the old LEDs on the Xbox you won't have new pads to work with.
-Remove the old LEDs by floating them away in a large amount of solder.
-Try to wick/suck away most of the old solder. You can remove some with a clean iron in a pinch.
-Heat the pad and add fresh solder.
-Go to step 2 above.

Thats how I do it at least, always works like a charm.

For reference, my iron is at 650°-700°F. My tip is 1/16".




-CollinstheClown