I tried to replace the batteries on my Game Boy cartridges the other day, but wasn't able to melt off the solder using the iron I have here, even after liberal use of flux. The stickers state that it's a US Listed 6G98 110-120V 35W Model CL-3 manufactured on 01/12/18. Does this iron not get hot enough to melt Nintendo's solder, or did I do something wrong? I've never done any soldering & all I know is from a few YouTube videos, so any pointers would be appreciated.
>>1572635Try adding a small amount of new solder, it will help with melting the old stuff.
>>1572636This. Sometimes you need to "spread out" the heat to, well, spread out the heat. Also increase the size of the tip. A larger (and more blunt) tip stores more heat and delivers it better to a target solder.35 watt soldering iron should melt any classic lead-tin solder alloy used with standard fine electronics circuitry. You just might have a too thin/sharp/narrow tip.
Take care, those are lithium button cells, not as li-ion rechargeable cells that explode with little provocation, but they can still leak corrosive chemicals if you heat them too much.You did make sure you got replacement cells with tabs spot soldered on right, because unless you have your own spot soldering tool you won't be attaching tabs to it. You can't do it with a normal soldering iron and flux, over heating the cell is a real concern.You are using a desoldering tool to suck away melted solder right, or desoldering braid which is braided copper wire that goes on top of the solder joint and then literally wicks up the melted solder.And since you say you have zero soldering experience, you did get some old circuit board to practice on right, even if you bought an old piece of junk electronics from a charity store and pulled it apart to practice on.I had a look at the photos of the game boy cartridge and the pads holding the cell are quite substantial, not huge but large. Adding to this, the tabs are themselves will be doing a good job conducting heat away to the metal casing of the cell which is also acting as a heat sink. A larger tip would work better, as the actress said to the bishop. A more powerful iron will melt her joints faster, she also said to him. A smaller tip will have to wait longer between attempts, is the final thing she said.
>>1572651>You did make sure you got replacement cells with tabsSpace allowing, it's way better to toss on a socket for future replacements
>>1572636>>1572637I tried to add a bit of new solder on both the iron tip & the target solder on the board on my previous attempt, and both times the solder only partially melted and balled up, remaining on the wire. From what I gather it could mean that my iron isn't hot enough and/or the solder I bought sucks. Also, I don't have any extra tips, so I'd have to buy them which I may.I'll try again later, making sure to give plenty of time for the iron to heat up. I was hoping I didn't have to buy new tools as I'm probably just gunna swap these batteries and then never solder again, but I might do it to save myself further headaches.>>1572651Yeah, I bought tabbed CR2025 batteries, and I've got a solder sucker that came in the same repair kit as the iron. And I actually do have an old dsl modem that I tried to practice on first but I had the same issue of the solder on it not melting.>is the final thing she said.are you a bot
>>1572656>but I had the same issueHit Aliexpress and buy either a new soldering iron, or an infrared thermometer to check if your iron is junk. If you do buy a new iron, you can get a cheap one for like $20 with digital temperature adjustments
So I gave it another go today and was able to swap out the old battery for a new one, somewhat. Still having heating issues, the solder on the board only partially melted (even after adding a dab of new solder) and resulted in some nasty looking joints. After putting the cartridge back together & checking, the game runs but still does not save. I'll be ordering a new iron w/ spare tips and whatnot & will redo the joints then.
Are you sure that's the correct polarity?
>>1572699Sure looks to be backwards. Tops always have battery information and a + markPerhaps he bought a battery with reversed tabs?
