510 connectors

[hippiebrian]

I am (im)patiently awaiting some more pre-wired connectors, but seeing there are none available, I have a question.

The small hole 510 connectors are almost impossible for my O.J. sized hands to solder, and I was wondering, are the large hole ones easier? Also, if I fill the large hole with solder, would it then be "sealed"?

Thanks!

 

[wolfstone5]

Yes, if you fill the hole with solder, it will seal the connector. Do you remove the center post of the connector before you attempt to solder it? Also, Do you have a "helping hands" device or a small vice to hold your project parts? This makes such a difference when soldering. With practice, it's pretty easy to solder the connectors yourself, even with OJ sized hands. I totally sucked at it when I made my first attempts but eventually got it together. Ironically, I have more trouble with the negative connection.

 

[hippiebrian]

Huh, didn't even know you could remove the center post! Got a lot to learn, I guess...

 

[hippiebrian]

Sorry for the double post here, bu yes, I just bought a "helping hands" thing with the magnifier...that might help!

 

[wolfstone5]

Actually, I went to Lowe's and got a small vice with suction cup base ($20) and some alligator clips from RadioShack. I put the clips in the vice and it works well. RadioShack has the helping hands but it's kind of cheesy. You can push the connector's center post out with the back of a drill bit and it works really well to put it back in as well. The only other small bit of advice I can offer it to tin all your parts and wires before you attempt the actual soldering. Also use liquid resin flux. It makes soldering much easier. Solder usually has a resin flux core but it's not really enough.

 

[hippiebrian]

Thanks wolfstone, I have a day off tomorrow, I'll give it a try on one of the connectors I have.