View Full Version : just a little help please...
seoirse2002
21-09-2013, 17:27
No sound from tweeter....took the cover off and found this wire had come off probably moving them around....
Its TINY!! how can I fix it?....doesent look like solderhttp://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10617&d=1379784045
Thanks Guys in advance as I don't want to mess it up:)
istari_knight
21-09-2013, 17:35
I hate it when that happens. The wire need stripping back a couple of mm & resoldering to that terminal... But you have to be very quick with the soldering iron as the heat will kill the voice coil unless you use croc clips as heatsinks.
I hate it when that happens. The wire need stripping back a couple of mm & resoldering to that terminal.
Very, very carefully does it I might add... :eyebrows:
istari_knight
21-09-2013, 17:39
Indeed ! I've dawdled soldering them in the past without issue but you do hear some horror stories, better safe than sorry etc etc.
seoirse2002
21-09-2013, 17:41
Thanks guys,that's what I thought....it doesent look like solder on the terminal...could it be some kind of glue?
istari_knight
21-09-2013, 17:44
Its definitely solder... The colour will be due to the flux I suspect.
Do you have a low wattage soldering iron George, because you will need one?
Andrew B
21-09-2013, 18:11
Technically, I'm a complete "know nothing", but I wondered about an electrically conductive adhesive. Would it work?
This is the sort of thing I mean
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/conductive-adhesives/1863616/
It's solder. Use a low melting point solder like an ordinary lead/tin solder, tin the iron, ensure you have a croc clip on the wire. Bring the tinned tip into contact with the wire at the same time touching the wire with a little solder...a fraction of a second is all that is needed and the solder should flow onto the wire. Do the same with the solder blob on the case as you need fresh flux (in the solder core) to clean off the area to be jointed. Bring the two together...a spare pair of hands and some tweezers would be handly! Clean and re-tin the iron tip, bring it up to the joint and touch the joint with solder. As soon as it flows, remove the iron but hold the joint steady for a few seconds before releasing tweezers. That should be job done.
seoirse2002
21-09-2013, 18:20
OOPS....trying to strip a little bit of the wire back and the wire covering just slipped off!!! now Im left with bare wire, very very thin:doh: I touched it to the terminal but no sound...do I need to scrape the solder to get a better connection? If that little wire breaks Im in big trouble:eyebrows:
I'd simply re-tin the "blob" to clean it up then solder the thin wire back into place.
seoirse2002
21-09-2013, 19:28
I have the(now) bare wire coming from the tweeter....but no sound when I touch it to the soldered part...maybe I need to remove the solder...how?:)...Im afraid to touch it with a hot soldering iron...or is it just the wire I need to be careful with?:)
seoirse2002
21-09-2013, 19:58
Ok, so far so good,and as always,many thanks....I haven't gone anywhere near it with a hot soldering iron,but when I touch the connector with the wire,in certain places,the tweeter is working...phew!:rolleyes: Ive just managed to shave some old solder off with a scalpel...if I can get enough off I can wrap the very thin wire around it and when I get sound again,Ill give it the tiniest touch with solder and that should hold it...is that ok? any last bits of advice/warning?:cool:
istari_knight
21-09-2013, 21:49
Once you've refreshed the solder joint it will be fine... As you say, for now you can just abrade the solder & secure the wire on it with some blutak or something.
Magna Audio
21-09-2013, 22:07
Rule with solder is to get all parts super clean and bright. All traces of old gunk there needs to be removed.
A proper aluminium heat sink clip thingy is much better than a croc clip. A fine tip on the iron and as already said low melt tin/lead solder, be quick and away you go... Sorted.
walpurgis
21-09-2013, 22:18
Don't worry about refitting the sleeve, you may cause harm if you try. Once you've managed the solder connection, just very gently paint the remaining exposed wire with clear laqueur or nail varnish. That'll protect it. Don't get any on the diaphragm though.
seoirse2002
22-09-2013, 09:35
http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10618&d=1379841620
Thanks Guys...so far so good...Ive been shaving solder off the connector with a scalpel,but it looks like it could be easier to put the hot iron on it to melt the solder off and then gently wrap the wire around it when its cool...I know getting the wire hot isn't good,but what about the connector? (one on the left) can I put the iron on it to melt the solder off without causing any damage? Its very soft...then when the wire is connected and the tweeter working I can just quickly pop a tiny bit of solder over it... any thoughts?
walpurgis
22-09-2013, 09:47
You need a small fine tipped iron. Use it only when it has reached full heat and very briefly, also as has been mentioned, use low melting point solder. I believe it's almost impossible to buy lead based solder now. I'm sure AOS members have some tucked away though. If you are stuck for finding some, I can send you a length of suitable fine solder.
seoirse2002
22-09-2013, 10:07
Thanks Geoff,
So touching the connector very quickly with the hot iron to quickly melt the solder off it is ok? ....thanks for the offer of the solder,but I found some that melts like butter and its quite old so thats probably the one I need....its many years since I used/did any soldering and my eyes aren't what they used to be,but I have those magnifying glasses,and tweezers so as you can read Im being soooo careful,but more worried about the tiny wire....its just one strand!
walpurgis
22-09-2013, 10:50
Yes, just touch the terminal/connector briefly with the iron tip and the solder should melt. I think you may use too much heat if you try to remove the piece of old wire and the old solder from the terminal. Don't bother, just solder to what is there, It'll do no harm to leave it and as long as you achieve a new soldered joint to the lead out wire from the coil/diaphragm edge that's all you need worry about.
To clean the fine wire, I'd gently try and scrape it all round with the tip of a small sharp craft knife. If you use sandpaper you may pull on the wire and cause damage.
seoirse2002
22-09-2013, 13:48
Yes, just touch the terminal/connector briefly with the iron tip and the solder should melt. I think you may use too much heat if you try to remove the piece of old wire and the old solder from the terminal. Don't bother, just solder to what is there, It'll do no harm to leave it and as long as you achieve a new soldered joint to the lead out wire from the coil/diaphragm edge that's all you need worry about.
To clean the fine wire, I'd gently try and scrape it all round with the tip of a small sharp craft knife. If you use sandpaper you may pull on the wire and cause damage.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10625&d=1379857171
Many MANY thanks to Geoff and all who helped me...all done now and tweeter is working fine....Ill take the advise and coat the bare wire with clear nail varnish later and perhaps a small piece of insulating tape over it should protect it more...many thanks all:cool:
walpurgis
22-09-2013, 20:23
Nice. Job done! :)
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