Re: How to: Working with electronics
Here I am again... following up another of XcOM's excellent posts...
One really neat way to make a splice in a wire, let's say you're adding another molex for example. Slide some sleeving over the original wire, cut the insulation and expose the wire itself. Wrap the new one round it and solder. Then slide the sleeving over the joint (allow the joint to cool first, or the residual heat will start to shrink the sleeving before it's in place) but keep the wires in a Y shape.
Apply the heat and shrink the sleeving.
Once the sleeving has shrunk, but before it has cooled, squeeze the part in between the top of the Y with small pliers. Once it has cooled, remove the pliers and you should have a really neat looking splice.
This works even better with the adhesive lined sleeving.
Re: How to: Working with electronics
im working on that guide tonight for you all, my secret tip will be released!!!!!!! a hint, its brown or white, its sweet, it can melt and comes in squares and you can eat it!
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Quote:
Originally Posted by XcOM
im working on that guide tonight for you all, my secret tip will be released!!!!!!! a hint, its brown or white, its sweet, it can melt and comes in squares and you can eat it!
xCom's secret chocolate recipe??? No way!!!
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Quote:
Originally Posted by tybrenis
xCom's secret chocolate recipe??? No way!!!
I suspect it has more to do with chocolate block connectors.
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Quote:
Originally Posted by xmastree
I suspect it has more to do with chocolate block connectors.
You can eat them?
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Quote:
Originally Posted by tybrenis
You can eat them?
No, its just there name, i was going to post it but ran out of time.
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Quote:
Originally Posted by XcOM
No, its just there name, i was going to post it but ran out of time.
Lol
Re: How to: Working with electronics
tybrenis, I'm just wondering if you managed to take a look at that LED diagram I PM'd you about...
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Ok, at long last i have got the time to post this:
In this section i will cover wire to wire connections. This is normally used to either extend a wire or to splice a wire (Sim to posted above using a Y splice with heat shrink)
Ok, i personally use small chocolate Blocks (Otherwise known as Terminal blocks)
Chocolate blocks are usually supplied in 12-way lengths but they can be cut into smaller blocks with a sharp knife, large wire cutters or a junior hacksaw.
Here you go, this is what a chocolate block looks like:
No no no,,,only joking, this is a chocolate block looks like:
To extend a wire in a chocolate block, strip the wire (You need about 1/2") and insert it into one side of the chocolate block, the wire is secured by a small screw, you MUST make sure that this is 100% secure, and that there is NO exposed wire. Then strip 1/2" of the wire you are using to extend, and do the same, but on the other side, this works by a simple connector passing the current through.
TO split a cable using a chocolate block do the same as above, but where you insert the extention cable, you insert the orginal cable and the splice cable.
Chocolate blocks are really only used to extend wires, you should follow the above post for splicing.
If you can't get some chocolate blocks, don't worry, there is another way:
This is a last resort and Chocolate blocks are a much better way of extending.
1: Strip the two wires that need to be soldered together. You should have 1/2-3/4 inch exposed wire on each.
2: Cross the wires in an "X" pattern and twist them together
3: Apply the soldering iron the the splice. Quickly dab the end of the iron with solder, this solder helps transfer the heat to the wire. Allow the wire to absorb the heat. This should take aprox 20-30 seconds...
4: Apply the solder to the wire, NOT the iron. Once the wire is hot enough, it will absorb the solder. If you touch the solder directly to the iron, the wire will not absorb the solder. This will result in a faulty "cold solder" joint.
When doing this always using something to cover the connection, like heat shrink tubing.
Thats it for now, i will do some more guides when i have some more information and pictures to use, also if anyone whats help, just request it, i and im sure other members will be more than happy to help.
Re: How to: Working with electronics
Quote:
Originally Posted by XcOM
When doing this always using something to cover the connection, like heat shrink tubing.
How appropriate that you mention sleeving at the end, after making the joint. In my experience, that's exactly the time when you realise you forgot it.
Strip, twist, solder, sleeving... D'Oh! :rolleyes:
So, if both wires are connected to something else, put the sleeving on first! The joint is never as neat the second time around. ;)
Also, slide it well away from the joint you're making so that the heat from soldering it doesn't start to shrink it.
This has been another 'voice of experience' announcment... :p