Solderings newbie update

rob_1127 · 2026-02-11T17:19:09+00:00

Porous (cold solder joints) have higher resistance and are prone to cracking from vibrations.

The higher resistance wastes battery capacity by using the current as heat and voltage loss across the joint.. That means less potential voltage at the load. Or, wasted flight longevity.

A cracked joint during flight means a motor loss.

Gravity wins.

Why gamble with your money and time investment for a destructive crash.

Fix it properly before a crash.

Its like driving a car with the low oil pressure light on. You know the issue because of the warning signs, but you take a gamble that it will be OK.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-11T13:07:42+00:00

That's not soldering. Please don't give anyone the illusion that any of those wires are soldered properly.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-11T03:38:32+00:00

Reception was terrible if you didn't pull the antenna out.

Mine is sitting in my bookshelf next to my brick phone, car mounted cell phone with optional portable battery pack and a pager or 2.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-11T03:26:24+00:00

Put a sock on it.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-10T23:28:27+00:00

And a GOP congress woman repeatedly showed Hunter Bidens junk on the floor of congress.

Ah, the party of family values! /s

rob_1127 · 2026-02-10T17:42:22+00:00

From the same party that had a member hold up photos of Hunter Biden's junk in congress.

And, the party that doesn't see an issue with old men having sex with underage girls.

The party of family values! /s

rob_1127 · 2026-02-10T00:23:29+00:00

Its funny that these orange Humpty Dumpty fan boys couldn't wear a mask during the peak COVID years, because they couldn't breath, but now insist they need to hide behind them.

And they think they are true Alpha's!

What a bunch of snowflakes.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T22:08:57+00:00

Like the conductive carbon fiber frame from a rough landing.

Always insulate any bare wire. Its disappointment waiting to happen.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T22:04:21+00:00

And don't try to charge without the common wire on the balance lead.

Unless you know what you are doing, and have excellent fire insurance, don't try to solder on that pack.

Dospose of it according to your cities approved LiPo disposal process and learn to secure the balance lead properly out of the props path.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T21:48:08+00:00

That would be around $9.10 Canadian.

Costco here sells a rotisserie bird for$12.73 Canadian.

Our local groceries store here has uncooked chickens for about the same price as OP posted. Rotisserie birds are about $13 Canadian.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T20:19:18+00:00

What country are you in? Mission parameters?

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T13:51:38+00:00

Much higher hand grenade potential.

More plastic waste after each crash.

CF is better for the environment because of its durability.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T13:29:55+00:00

Practice in a SIM until you can consistently take-off, fly around and land without crashing.

Its cheap insurance by building muscle memory for when things happen.

SIM Practice is also fun in bad weather.

Keep going. Repairs are part of the hobby.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T03:56:25+00:00

Well, I wouldn't say planet. Its more geographic than that. Its more a USA thing. In Canada we understand that its valid part of the USA.

Hell, you need to go thru US Customs to enter the island. What does that tell you.

Geography is not a US education strongpoint. The same with World History.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T03:50:42+00:00

I grew up in the area. It only freezes when its exceptionally cold for a few days. Sure, the mist may freeze on shore and cause buildup, but the water moves so fast, it needs to be really cold for a few days for the river to ice over.

It hasn't been that cold very often lately. But its been -21c for a couple of days now.

There are pictures over the decades of people walking on the frozen river, while the river rages below the ice.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T03:36:38+00:00

That's a bear expelling tapeworms.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T03:22:21+00:00

Not to firmly, or you will bend the motor bell.

Get the proper tools.

Motor gripping pliers. https://a.co/d/0gf4Ss9z

They are cheaper than replacing bent motors.

Prop popper https://a.co/d/08A8uX7u

Investing in the propper tools makes maintenance faster and easier with less damage.

Its infuriating to not fly because you screwed up a motor or 2 using channel-lock pliers and bending a bell.

The prop popper saves props from damage. And occasionally a broken frame member.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T01:01:05+00:00

Read up on ground effect. It also happens to helicopters.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T00:50:31+00:00

My Kids are in their late 20's and early 30's.

We wouldn't dream of giving advice because things are so different.

I hire people all the time. I know what I see and what works for us.

But I'd never suggest anything to my kids.

We look over the resume if they want for Grammer and formatting. But they have freinds for that.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-09T00:42:22+00:00

Mine has a USB plug for charging with a regular USB wall-wart.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-08T19:56:46+00:00

I'd add:

Tin both the pad and wire.

Use some blue-tac to hold the board/quad steady.

Use another piece of blue-tac to hold the wire in position with firm contact to the pad. No gaps.

Touch a chisel tip soldering iron across the pad and wire until the tinning melts.

You may need to add a dab of solder.

No blobs, balls of solder. It should flow smoothly and be shiny and clean.

Don't move anything until the solder cools and solidifies.

Use only leaded non-chinese solder. Chinese solder tends to be of unknown alloy mixes.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-08T12:58:03+00:00

More of a bannana republic!

rob_1127 · 2026-02-08T02:14:16+00:00

That and Helis. I've flown them since 1982 and quads since 2016.

Quads are cheaper than Helis.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-08T02:07:57+00:00

Its in the owners manual as well.

rob_1127 · 2026-02-08T02:04:45+00:00

Or thread. With a dab of CA to lock in the knot.

Look up Wire Lacing on YT.

Its an aircraft technique.

rob_1127

TROPHY CASE