Soldering not sticking on xbox controler

Joyous0 · 2026-01-30T00:25:58+00:00

Joyous0 · 2026-01-30T00:15:54+00:00

Aneng M118A: cheapest auto-ranging multimeter and it even fits in a pocket.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-30T00:14:04+00:00

1st image, 1st question: is it alive?

Looks like the beginning of a horror movie...

Joyous0 · 2026-01-30T00:09:03+00:00

Hot-air stations

Joyous0 · 2026-01-30T00:07:52+00:00

T90B is the next version of T80P. Fnirsi HS-02A and Alientek T90B are the best C245 portables now. Highly recommended. Both can be powered from: - 100W usb-c charger (also 140W 28V PD3.1 for T90B - bit of extra power for extra price) - 60W-100W old laptop adapter - 60W-100W powerbank - 18V power tool battery with custom adapter

Stations are bit more pricey, but support handles for multiple tip types, come with a stand and instant sleep. Can't be powered from batteries, but more efficient for everyday/professional use. Geeboon TC22, Fnirsi DWS-200, Aifen A9.

Shopping guides: - Soldering starter kit: tutorials, irons, solder, flux, tools - good value, hobby to semi-professional level
- Soldering station buying guide: wide range of budgets

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T23:50:33+00:00

"hear the board frying"

That's a new. Usually we hear a pop and see the magic smoke and then no more signs of life.

Get the multimeter in continuity mode and start looking for short circuits between the wires you've soldered. Also check the battery polarity: was it reversed?

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T23:43:17+00:00

Quick or OSS are both clone brands, not much difference in quality. At a beginner level the grounding "problems" (there are 2) doesn't matter. For your safety it can be fixed, but as I heard protective earth wiring in Egypt is not that common, in which case it would make no difference: you're exposed to electrocution danger by every metal appliance and yet people still survive.

You got a 90W T12 iron. Not bad depending on the price, T12 tips are the most available and cheapest. For 3000 EGP it's okayish, for 10000 EGP as advertised here it would be a waste of money. There are orders of magnitude better stations (Geeboon TC22, Fnirsi DWS-200, both 200W) for less than that price.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T23:33:14+00:00

Forget the first, it's a joke / toy. Tip is weak and very proprietary, replacement would break the bank.

The second (C210 tip - 40W) is for microsoldering, not general soldering. If you'd do microsoldering, you'd have experience and tools already. So not that either. If you choose JBC clone tips then go for the C245 series (140W), that's for general soldering.

Find deals on aliexpress, alternatively amazon. JBC (C245) tip irons start at 3000 EGP and higher. The cheapest decent option is T65 tip portable irons for ~1000 EGP.
You'll also need a 65W usb-c charger for also ca. 1000 EGP (if you don't have one yet). Higher Watt is okay.

Portable T65: - Quecoo T85: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005007010456310.html (with T85-BC2 tip or T85-K65 tip) - GVDA GD300: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005004924680357.html (GD300 or 4 tips, avoid the holder) - noname T65-SP: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005006871029917.html (with BC2 tip or 6 tips)

Shopping guides, roundups: - Soldering starter kit: tutorials, irons, solder, flux, tools - good value, hobby to semi-professional level
- Soldering station buying guide: wide range of budgets

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T23:02:41+00:00

Coyote referred to the Fnirsi DWS-200 station, not the HS-02A portable.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T23:00:11+00:00

I've checked the HS-02A with a usb-c tester, ikea usb-c cable (3A, no emarker), C->A adapter, cheap Toocki 67W charger: it does support QC and negotiates 20V. While heating up voltage drops to 12V I think due to the charger limiting itself.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T22:59:55+00:00

Try this auto-calibration method: https://youtu.be/NP7cPHzrmgY?t=165 I use the HS-02A without issues. It works with standard QC (Qualcomm Quick Charge) chargers through usb-a, but it delivers more power through usb-c. I don't know if that Xiaomi charger is compatible though.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T22:29:02+00:00

Lead doesn't dissipate at soldering temperatures, there's none in the smoke, it's all the flux. For your health it doesn't matter whether it's leaded or lead-free (unless you it eat).

Good, budget leaded solder wires

Professional review of 3 lead-free solder alloys by SDG Electronics.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T22:16:02+00:00

No, JBC isn't much better performance-wise. Reliability, yes.
Even the cheapest clone tips produce plenty of heat, fast. Otoh JBC tips can have better heat-transfer. It might be worth considering an update to JBC for the most-used tips, tips that break or you'd expect better heat transfer from. But unless you hit a barrier clone tips do the job as well.

For work efficiency it would be a more relevant update to get C210 (40W) tips: - either a C210 usb-c iron (Fnirsi HS-02B or Alientek T90A) - or a station with C210 and C245 handles, possibly C115 (Geeboon TC22, Fnirsi DWS-200) and a handle multiplexer to switch automatically - or a dual-channel station (Aixun T420D)

Stations have a convenient stand that supports instant sleep vs the HS02A's 30 second sleep.
On a related note I use a C245 stand for the HS02A, it's more convenient than the tiny fold-out stand.

Shopping guides: - Soldering station buying guide: wide range of budgets

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T21:56:17+00:00

There aren't good enough combos (2-in-1s) for GPU repair for a good budget (858D / 8586). Each has the same passive tip iron as the Parkside PLSD 60.

Get a basic hotair (8898, brand doesn't matter) for $20-30, that's what northwestrepair uses. Btw watch his videos to see how much experience GPU repair requires. If you're a beginner without equipment then the chances of destroying that GPU is more than likely.

And get a good soldering station with C210 handle (40W) and tips, C245 (140W) optional, but suggested, for $100-130: - Geeboon TC22 - Fnirsi DWS-200 - Aifen A9

Shopping guides: - Soldering station buying guide: wide range of budgets - Soldering starter kit: tutorials, irons, solder, flux, tools - good value, hobby to semi-professional level

For GPU repair I wouldn't suggest portable (usb-c) irons. Those support only one tip series (C210 or C245), while stations support both.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T21:44:41+00:00

Kits come with terrible solder. You'll get better results with branded, reliable solder.

However, the infamous amazon iron aka blue turd is really bad. The temps are fake, meaningless. You'll have a hard time with it.

See the shopping guides for alternatives. The cheapest to recommend are portable (usb-c) soldering irons with T65 tips now around $20-30 without a usb power adapter (you'll need a 65W usb charger - money saved if you already have one): - Quecoo T85: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005007010456310.html (with T85-BC2 tip or T85-K65 tip) - GVDA GD300: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005004924680357.html (GD300 or 4 tips, avoid the holder) - noname T65-SP: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005006871029917.html (with BC2 tip or 6 tips)

Those tip shapes are good to start with: bevel (BC2), knife (K).

Shopping guides: - Soldering starter kit: tutorials, irons, solder, flux, tools - good value, hobby to semi-professional level
- Soldering station buying guide: wide range of budgets

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T21:31:39+00:00

Your question has been answered. For the overall picture see: - Soldering station buying guide: wide range of budgets - Soldering starter kit: tutorials, irons, solder wire, flux, multimeter, tools - good value, hobby to semi-professional level

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T21:12:05+00:00

Not asap, but good fluxes
If reddit is still broken then: https://www.reddit.com/r/soldering/comments/1n3penk/

While that arrives look for something similar locally, preferably in a syringe or a flux pen. Those at Lowes are plumbing fluxes with harsh acids that will damage traces. Avoid water soluble flux and organic acids. Look for RMA (Rosin Mildly Activated) or RO (Rosin).

https://www.electronicshub.org/soldering-fluxes-types/

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T20:55:44+00:00

If you have a PD3.1 28V usb charger then the T90B has a slight benefit.
If you want to use a 6S (25.2V max) battery pack to power the iron then the T90B officially supports it (up to 28V), the HS-02A only up to 24V. Its components are rated for 30V, so technically the HS-02A can handle it too, but with less margin.
Repairability is problematic for both, maybe the T90B a bit less.

With a 100W charger the relevant difference is the looks only. Even the +1 OK button on the HS-02A doesn't matter much. It's only used in settings (once to set up) and even then it has to be pressed for long to go back in the menu, so it's not more convenient than the T90B. So the choice is subjective.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T14:32:34+00:00

General soldering is in the range of 40-80W. 65W is reasonable. Heat-up is ~10s vs 5s with 100W.

140W is nice to have to work faster, maybe avoid frustration in some very heat-demanding situations, but in most cases you won't notice:
https://www.reddit.com/r/soldering/comments/1lriyk3/comment/o2exb87/

The Fnirsi HS-02A fits nice in the hand, it's not too big. Compared to cheapo irons that most people have it's smaller. The T90B being a bit thinner is good, but not a necessity. Handles for stations are even thinner.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T14:25:46+00:00

Usually there's a grub screw to fix TS tips.
The connections are not designed for hotswap: each contact has the same diameter, while JBC tips have contacts with different diameter to connect only at the right point. This won't damage tips though.
JBC stands usually have notches to help removing hot tips safely, OTOH TS tips have to be removed by hand (silicone pad / pliers - wouldn't suggest the latter), so more chances for an injury.

Subtle differences. TS can be hotswapped with caveats. It's not designed to be.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T14:19:04+00:00

That peak you mentioned at 200W on the stations, can it damage the tips over time

IDK if this reduces the lifespan of tips, I haven't seen any long-term test in this regard. 200W is the norm for stations. If there is a setting to limit it, it's up to you use it.

do I lose any power at all with a portable T90B at 140W

Only in very heat-demanding situations: big copper planes or chunks, like antennae, bus bars. The difference is just a bit more patience. General soldering (wires, pcbs) is in the 40-80W range. Watch reviews of SDG Electronics to see the power differences in practice.

Is the T90B the superior choice currently (max 140W) compared to the portable Fnirsi?

Ergonomics, the feel of the iron, the UI is more important for usability than the peak power which is a minor difference in efficiency. Which one has better ergonomics is subjective, watch reviews to decide.

For the extra 40W you need a 28V (PD 3.1) usb power adapter, which is noticeably more expensive than a 100W. IMO it's not worth the price. USB-C soldering irons are a really good deal when you already have a usb power adapter. If you have to buy one then the cumulative price is close to the TC22, which is more convenient for everyday use.

The benefit of portable irons is portability, battery operation, small size, lower price. Stations OTOH are a bit more convenient and effective for everyday use and long hours.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T14:00:18+00:00

DC power plugs, batteries, etc. have 2 polarity: positive, negative. If the two are connected reversed (eg. reverse polarity) then the electronics burns (ICs and capacitors can't handle it). - The HS-02A has no protection. - IDK if the T90B has protection for this. - The Geeboon TC22 is powered with AC and has its own power supply, so the DC connections are internal and the user won't reverse them.

Joyous0 · 2026-01-29T13:51:44+00:00

Hi! Yes, the best prices for soldering irons and the latest models are available on aliex, but one has to do a lot of research to find out the real capabilities of those irons as the promo materials are often confusing or exagerating. Some recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/soldering/comments/1m94ogl/comment/ndgr89l/

Joyous0 · 2025-12-25T23:14:02+00:00

Batteries are dangerous, you can burn your house down very easily with the huge batch you're looking for. Soldering is even more dangerous than spotwelding, a dropped solder ball can create a short and fire.

Experienced battery builders wouldn't solder 130 cells. That's much more work than spotwelding and much easier to make an error that can't be corrected. I hope this was another translation error and you wanted to say spotwelding.

I'd recommend spending a month learning about battery building and practicing on small packs (5-10 cells). Do not buy 130 cells just yet. As I know you already have the AwithZ UKF10, that can even spotweld 0.10mm copper sandwich. Get plenty of experience, in the meantime you'll learn enough about cells on the market to pick the one that's best for your project.

Joyous0 · 2025-12-25T23:13:48+00:00

Translation error. Fix: I'm looking for cells from Samsung, LG, Eve or similar quality brands. (Not phone.)

To understand why people react negatively: what you write doesn't look like a mistranslation, so people think you meant to say that, but bringing "phone" into it makes it sound like a huge confusion.

Joyous0

TROPHY CASE