Sumovore Manual

One of the most common errors is to accidently "bridge" the pads between
components. Make sure that there aren't any tiny flecks of solder or wire
between the pads.
Soldering! If you have never soldered before, it could be an
intimidating concept. After all, you’re being asked to take a scalding-
hot piece of metal, and use it to melt metal onto delicate electronic
components!
It is actually a pretty straight-forward process. We’ve taught 8-year
old kids to solder (with supervision), so there’s no reason why you
can’t wrap your head around this skill.
The trick is heat. Heat is good. Too often, new students are scared
by the concept of all this heat in a small space. Well, what is really
hot to you and me (the soldering iron), is actually just a sunny day
at the beach for the components.
A successful solder connection can almost be guaranteed if you
remember you are heating two pieces of metal, not just one. Here’s
the basic procedure:
1) Put the component leg through the solder pad hole (snugged up close)
2) Wipe off the tip of the soldering iron on a damp sponge so it’s shiny and clean. It transfers heat better when it’s
clean.
2) Holding the soldering iron like a pencil (not at the tip! Hot metal, remember?), jam the tip into the corner where the
leg comes through the hole. This means the soldering iron tip is heating both the leg and the solder pad.
3) Count to 4. This heats up the parts.
4) While keeping the soldering iron in place, add solder to the other side of the leg. At this point, both the leg and pad
will be hot enough that they will melt the solder into a nice connection. You’ll probably notice some yellow or clear goop
appear when you solder. Don’t worry, this is flux, and it is in the solder to help make a good, clean connection.
Do NOT treat the soldering iron like a brush. That is, DON’T melt solder to the tip, and then try to smear it onto the
connection. You’re a electronics enthusiast, not a painter!
If you mess up, don’t worry. You can reheat the solder and bang it loose with a quick snap onto a pad of paper (please
use eye protection at all times). If you get two solder pads fused
together, use the soldering iron like a pen, and “draw” a line
between the pads. The solder will remelt, and flow off to the sides.
The final check for any solder joint is the “wiggle test”. Firmly grip
each component and gently rock it side-to-side. Any movement of
the component legs on the other side of the board means the joint
isn’t firm, no matter how good it looks. Reheat and apply more
solder to the joint.
Solder
Soldering Iron
(hold here!)
Solder Pad
Circuit Board
Component Leg
1. Insert component
2. Wipe soldering iron tip on damp sponge
3. Stick iron tip into corner of leg & pad
4. Count to 4
5. Add solder
6. Remove iron
Solder flecks
PN
2222
Bad
No flow from leg to pad
Good
Flows from leg to pad
Bad
Solder “bridge” across pads
Bad & Good Solder Joints
X
X
á
The Solarbotics Sumovore
Soldering Tutorial