Soldering question

[Dhos1]

First of all, I was scrolling Facebook and found a guy that sells these cool CNC mockups of the door vents. They actually have led lights in them and when wired to the courtesy lights will come on with the other lights and when the door opens. Looks really cool. However the wires are really really small and I want to run bigger wire 18ga. Because I feel better with it also I need to make it longer. Can I scrape this little dot of solder off and just re solder a piece of 18gauge to replace this tiny ass wire. How hard would that be do you think?

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Why? The current draw on an LED that small is miniscule. You don't need 18ga to the board. Just extend the lead, don't try to desolder it if you're not experienced with it. Most of these micro-electronics have contact pads so small you're likely to ruin it if you don't have some practice and the right iron. Flux core solder also doesn't like the small stuff.

 

[TexasT]

If you do try to desoulder get the little vac tool . Not hard to do but takes some practice. I did this on the dash of a gmt400 truck to replace the lights and resolder the processor to the board to get the dash to work again.

Amazon.com

Not the one I used but i'm sure they aren't all that different.

 

[Dhos1]

Forgot to add pictures

 

[dynoman]

Like Turbo6inKY said just extend the existing wires . #1 , less chance of a f#%ck up #2 , don't use 18ga wire , 22ga tops because of very low current . # 3 , with pigtails off of the light source you can install crimp-on connectors for easy install or removal .
I have done all kinds of soldering for the last 50yrs ( starting as a TV repairman in the 70's) and if you use too much heat while soldering you can damage components very easily .

https://www.amazon.com/Swpeet-Connectors-Insulating-Assortment-Electrical/dp/B07GGVBQTN

These connectors can be soldered onto the pigtails if you can't get a good crimp , which I do in many cases .

 

[Dhos1]

I would have extended the existing wires but there is only 2-3 inches of it so I either have to connect the same size wire to it or go with an another size altogether. Which brings up the point of the solder in my original question.

 

[dynoman]

Then get some 22ga wire , 18ga is a little too heavy , and a lower wattage soldering iron (35watt is plenty) . Put the tip of the iron on the dot of solder and with some tension on the existing wire and you can just pull the wire off once the solder melts . Strip and tin the new wire about a 1/2", then trim the tinned wire down to about 1/8" . If you removed the original wires properly there will be enough solder still on the pad for the new wires . Melt the solder on the pad and put the wire in the melted solder , hold for a second or 2 for them to melt together and you're done .
If there is not enough solder on the pad , melt a small dot in place ( you can let it cool while you get the wire ) then remelt and insert the wire as stated above . Hope that explains it for you ...let me know .

 

[dynoman]

Make sure the soldering irons tip is tinned also . Melt solder on it then wipe it off with a rag or damp paper towel .

 

[dynoman]

There are plenty of You Tube videos on soldering .

 

[Dhos1]

This is what I needed. I will try this method. Thanks justcteusing the existing solder