Soldering for dummies

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gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Jan 9, 2012 11:42am
I have a TV that hasn't worked for some time (~a year) and I finally decided to take initiative and fix it. Looks like the most common issue is bulging capacitors (it's a Samsung LCD). So, I'm planning on popping off the back and verifying this is the case, and assuming it is, heading to a local place to pick up some new capacitors, some solder, and a soldering iron. Figure I can fix it for <$50, instead of spending a crap ton on a new TV or a repairman.

However, I've never soldered anything in my life. I've watched videos of people performing the repair and it seems easy enough. Those of you familiar, how easy/difficult of a job is it? Is it something a beginner can handle? Any tips?
THE4RINGZ's avatar
THE4RINGZ
Posts: 16,816
Jan 9, 2012 11:44am
Pretty easy task. Just make sure not to hold the iron on the leads too long. Get them hot, apply the solder and get the iron off of there.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Jan 9, 2012 11:48am
I can do it, so it can't be that hard.
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Jan 9, 2012 11:52am
ernest_t_bass;1044910 wrote:I can do it, so it can't be that hard.
TWSS?
ytownfootball's avatar
ytownfootball
Posts: 6,978
Jan 9, 2012 11:57am
I have to replace a color wheel on my projection (already did the bulb). Not sure if it's worth it or not but that sob still owes me.
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar
ZWICK 4 PREZ
Posts: 7,733
Jan 9, 2012 11:58am
Soldering itself isn't hard.
Soldering on a board with a million pieces is a little harder.

Using the right solder is essential to make sure you don't burn up a component. If you use a solder rated at 450 degrees, and your capacitor will melt at 335.. well you'll have a problem. Likewise if you use a solder that melts at a temp too low to seed the component, you'll just burn the solder.

good luck.
said_aouita's avatar
said_aouita
Posts: 8,532
Jan 9, 2012 8:29pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1044919 wrote:Soldering itself isn't hard.
Soldering on a board with a million pieces is a little harder.

Using the right solder is essential to make sure you don't burn up a component. If you use a solder rated at 450 degrees, and your capacitor will melt at 335.. well you'll have a problem. Likewise if you use a solder that melts at a temp too low to seed the component, you'll just burn the solder.

good luck.

This is coming from a man who knows his capacitors, even flux ones.