soldering a 120V wire

[artoodeeto]

I need to re-solder some wires in my now dismantled power supply. One of those wires connects the power switch to the power plug, and as such will be running 120V all the time. I have a soldering gun that's dual wattage: 150W or 230W, and temps between 950 deg. and 1100 deg. respectively. Presuming this is hot enough to melt the right kind of solder, what type of solder should I get? I only have a thin wire spool of rosin-core solder right now, and I'm assuming its melting temp is too low for a 120V line.
If the solder gun I have isn't hot enough, what should I look to get? thanks!!!
(the other wires I will be soldering carry a max of 12V, and I know the solder I have can handle that).

[Airbozo]

It will not matter. So long as your soldering gun is powerful enough to heat the wire to melt the solder it will be fine.

[artoodeeto]

good to know, thanks! my concern really was caused by my soldering gun, even on its high setting, not melting the solder attaching a very short (soon to be lengthened) wire coming off the power switch. But then, maybe I just didn't hold it there long enough.

[Killa_Ape]

I'd recommend wrapping the wire around the "terminal" you're soldering too if you can and solder it all up just to reduce the risk of the wire coming off.

[Spawn-Inc]

something is wrong with your soldering iron if it can barely melt thin solder. either it's broken, or not rated for 150W or 230W sure it's not 15-23 watts?

i have a 45watt iron that will handle alot, though it can't due 4 gauge wire :) need a blow torch for that.

[Airbozo]

something is wrong with your soldering iron if it can barely melt thin solder. either it's broken, or not rated for 150W or 230W sure it's not 15-23 watts?

i have a 45watt iron that will handle alot, though it can't due 4 gauge wire :) need a blow torch for that.

In order to achieve a proper soldering connection, his iron has to heat the largest surface, in this case the larger ac wire, in order for it to melt the solder and draw it into the core of strands.

I have a butane powered iron and it never lets me down. You can even change the tips to get a torch or heat shrink blower. :up:

[x88x]

good to know, thanks! my concern really was caused by my soldering gun, even on its high setting, not melting the solder attaching a very short (soon to be lengthened) wire coming off the power switch. But then, maybe I just didn't hold it there long enough.

I've seen this happen a lot with factory made circuit boards. Something about the solder they use or a coating, or something, makes it harder to heat it up the first time.

[artoodeeto]

good to know, thanks! I kept thinking geez....my solder gun tip is glowing red and this stuff won't melt?!?!?!

[Spawn-Inc]

In order to achieve a proper soldering connection, his iron has to heat the largest surface, in this case the larger ac wire, in order for it to melt the solder and draw it into the core of strands.



true, but most 120v power supply lines are easily solderable.

[Airbozo]

true, but most 120v power supply lines are easily solderable.

Correct. My main point was that the iron needed to heat the wire not the solder.

[artoodeeto]

And sure enough, when I soldered the new wires in, my gun did just fine. In fact, it was so hot I had the solder almost boiling - little bits were going flying, followed by little smoke trails. Slightly dangerous, but pretty cool :P I'm guessing when I initially tried to melt the original solder, I just didn't press it to the wire long enough to heat up the relatively thick mass of wire and solder. I'm used to doing much thinner stuff, which happens a lot faster. No worries though, I just clipped, stripped, and soldered in extensions on the existing wires. Should work fine :)

[Spawn-Inc]

And sure enough, when I soldered the new wires in, my gun did just fine. In fact, it was so hot I had the solder almost boiling - little bits were going flying, followed by little smoke trails. Slightly dangerous, but pretty cool :P I'm guessing when I initially tried to melt the original solder, I just didn't press it to the wire long enough to heat up the relatively thick mass of wire and solder. I'm used to doing much thinner stuff, which happens a lot faster. No worries though, I just clipped, stripped, and soldered in extensions on the existing wires. Should work fine :)

is this the style that you have?
http://girr.org/girr/tips/tips6/tool_tips/soldering_gun.jpg

[artoodeeto]

yep, that's the type. looks like that one's a 260/200W whereas mine's 150/230, but otherwise it looks the same.