Re: [pvusers] Soldering

["Scott Willing" <willing@mb.sympatico.ca>]

What are you using for solder / iron now? When it comes to soldering 
in general, "Are you experienced?"

According to Practical Photovoltaics...

"Ordinary electronic-grade (60% tin/40% lead) solder can be used in 
most cases, but a special solder which contains 2% silver... is the 
best choice if the cell contacts are silver."

This is in reference to soldering individual cells, BTW, but it's 
probably still relevant.

"This will keep the hot solder from dissolving and possibly weakening 
the bond of the very thin silver fingers. Rosin core solder and rosin-
based soldering flux can be used but can be difficult to clean off 
the cell faces once the module is soldered together. (he mentions 
water-soluble flux)

...

A small pencil-type soldering iron of about 35 to 40 watts capacity 
is the most useful for this kind of soldering."

That sounds pretty pedestrian to me... no need for a fancy soldering 
station or anything. I have a basic station that I got refurbished 
for cheap - best thing I ever did. I can't tell you how many pencil 
irons I've been through... but if you don't solder often I can 
understand the reluctance.

Are you cleaning the contact area first? Alcohol or a bit of liquid 
flux can work wonders, sometimes even a little work with a pencil 
eraser can help. If the contact area is oxidized somewhat, you'll 
have a rough go of it. And of course all good soldering practice 
(tinning the area first, for example) should be followed.

-=s

On 24 Jul 2002 at 18:24, vince loflin wrote:

> HI All,
> 
> I've got some Solarex 20 volt, 2 amp factory seconds circa 1985, no
> frame or leads, just the panels. I am trying to solder leads to the
> circuit ribbons on the back of the panels, but I cannot get the solder
> to hold.  What is the trick?  An electronics shop guy said I need to
> use a high temperature soldering iron and maybe some special solder.
> Is that right? If so, where might I get them at a reasonable price. 
> The ones I found on the net seemed high.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Vince
> 
> 
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