Soldering irons and anderson connectors

[psycho_fling]

hi all

Looking to buy andersons for new heavy build for motors etc which ones should I get?

Also looking for a soldering iron which will make the soldering of said connectors easier - looking at antex not sure what size to get though, is 100W good enough?

cheers

[typhoon_driver]

you would want at least 100w. I would just sack getting a branded one and get a cheap 150w iron. For the amount of time you will be using it for there's not much point in paying a small fortune.

[craig_colliass]

Blowtorch, Lots of solder, in a big vice Works every time.

[psycho_fling]

sounds good cheers guys

[kane]

This is what we use
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/soldering-irons/0660309/
Might be a bit overkill if you are just soldering a couple of andersons.

[blazerbotics]

I use a 80watt Antex one, think its this one; http://www.technobotsonline.com/ante...w-uk-plug.html for the 50amp Andersons, if you want to use the big 160amp ones you need a blow torch.

[craig_colliass]

For the large Andersons what I do is this.

1/ Gently tighten the plated copper connector in the vice with the cable socket pointing upwards with the thin bit in the jaws and the cable socket part as far from the jaws as possible to reduce the chances of the vice being a heat sink.
2/ With some plumbers flux in the bottom of the cable socket I then fill about 2/3 with short sticks of pipe solder.
3/ strip the cable end to the correct length and apply a little flux to the cable conductor.
4/ Gently heat the cable socket with the heat of the blowtorch, it is not hard to see when all the solder is melted.
5/ Slowly and carefully put the prepared cable end into the molten solder you may have to apply a little heat at the same time.
NOTE molten metal even solder is not good stuff to drink or use as skin cream so BE SAFE! gloves goggles etc.
6/ Remove the heat and hold the joint together until you are sure the solder is set. lay aside to cool off. or you will burn yourself.
Job done