Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

Hi,

I have finaly get some time to build my first emontx kit.

But it seems I have failed it. Going throught the step by step with picture howto, I arrive at step 19 for test it and the voltage I have is : 0 instead of 3.3V

This is the first time I use a solder kit since 20 years in school. And my hands are always a little shaking without control.

Now I'm a little lost, I don't see from where it can be, my job looks bad and maybe I damage the card ?

I put a picture, can give other if it's usefull for someone.

 

Thanks,

 

Cédric

lunarok's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

The picture

Paul Reed's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

Chances are that you have a short circuit from one of the solder pins to the surrounding copper.

I can see from your photo Quite a few likely shorts, and they need to be cleaned up before going any further.

You may be able to remove some of the splattered solder with a small screwdriver, but probably the best way would be to carefully reheat the joint, with a little fresh solder/flux.

Paul

Petrik's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

Are the usb connector pins soldered properly - in piccie looks like those pins are potentiallu not connected to copper ? Under N in word North maybe a short ?

Robert Wall's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

I too can see quite a few places that are suspect. In general, there's too much solder on many of the joints. Next time ( ! ), buy thinner gauge solder - yes, I know it's easy to say that after the event.

If you have excess solder on a joint or a solder bridge, I find the best tool is a solder sucker. Others prefer a solder wick, but I've never had much success with that. Both are available from the usual places. Like any tool, it needs a bit of practice to use effectively and for that, I suggest you get some stripboard and a bag if cheap resistors or the like. The size is much bigger than the emonTx and you'll find it easier. Solder a few joints, then get most of the solder off. Once you've removed the surplus, you can remake the joint.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desoldering is worth reading, and there are on-line videos (search for "use desolder pump").

Where are you in the world?

boelle's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

I too looked at it and since you say you are a beginner, I will not string you up :-D

I took your pic and put red dots on where I could see potential problems...

Joints with to little solder it simple enough, you reheat and apply a little more solder...

The once with to much you have to remove the solder... as robert says its more like religion what you use.

the wiki link from robert descripes very good how you remove things

this one might also be usefull... shows a few bad solderings and more background info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldering

some guides say to cut leads after soldering... there is a risk to this: you will send a chock through the joint when cutting.. and you leave the end of the lead open.. what i do is the cut the lead just a bit longer than needed and bend it so it lies flat against the board without falling off.

this link shows many good solder joint so you have something to aim for: https://www.google.dk/search?q=good+solder+joint&noj=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&so...

and always have a wet sponge to clean the tip :-) and if you have a joint with only tiny excess solder you can get away with cleaning the tip and heat up the joint and wipe the tip clean a few times... (don't overdo it)

hope it helps

lunarok's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

Ok, I will give a global answer as everyone here give me good clues :)

Yes, right this is my first soldering since school so don't kick me by seeing the picture :)

 

First of all, I'm in France in Angers (west, near Nantes) if anyone is near and ready to help, I will welcome him.

For Robert : I prefer solder wick I think. For this kit I buy a soldering kit near my office (but yes too cheap, so too big and not very good for details) Inside have a soldering pump, and I didn't get it make me silly this tool. But I remember in school we use solder wick, and I go buy some and this I get it working (yes, what you see on picture is maybe making your eyes bleed but it was worth before on some point)

For boelle : thank you for your picture, I will try to get some time to check

Will give you news

richmc's picture

Re: Anyone can help me with a soldering going bad way ?

Hi Cedric,

I'm with you on using solder wick, a pump in inexperienced hands means you could end up with lifted pads, I'm willing to help although I'm in England, If you get really stuck I can resolder the board and test it for you if you want, for the postage cost, just send me a PM,

Good luck Rich.

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