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soldering iron help

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shardian:


--- Quote from: atarihomestar on October 17, 2007, 04:08:23 pm ---
shardian:  I'm quite new to all this, so sorry if this makes me sound pretty stupid.  Is the whole "Solder in 6" pieces of wire with shielded quick disconnects on the end to the encoder" business so that if I ever need to change a joystick or something, I don't have to un-solder the wire? 


--- End quote ---

Basically, yes. It just gives you the flexibility that if you need to switch around some wires, or remove the encoder for some reason you can do it with minimal work.

As to quick disconnects, I have bought shielded quick disconnects at Advance Auto before. Basically, you need a set of female quick disconnects, and some male quick disconnects. You can put male or female on the encoder wires - it is up to you.
You can buy the female quick disconnects from vendors such as groovy game gear. You'll need them for your wiring anyways. Male spade terminals (male quick disconnects) are more readily available in the real world for some odd reason. I don't think GGG carries the male terminals.

atarihomestar:

More Cowbell:  Great name, by the way.  That was an hilarious SNL skit.  And knowing that you've used the same things I'm thinking of using, and that you liked them, makes it a whole lot easier to use.

Shardian: What gauge wire do you use? I could be wrong, but it seems like Knievel uses thicker wire, so he can bend it and it'll stay where he wants it.  Is there a disadvantage to that? 

Thanks again, this is really a great forum.  I started a thread in the project announcements a week or so ago, so I'll be posting pictures of how I solder this stuff as soon as possible, so hopefully I can give back to this forum.

shardian:


--- Quote from: atarihomestar on October 17, 2007, 04:50:55 pm ---Shardian: What gauge wire do you use? I could be wrong, but it seems like Knievel uses thicker wire, so he can bend it and it'll stay where he wants it.  Is there a disadvantage to that? 

--- End quote ---

I usually use whatever I grab first out of my scrap bag. :laugh2:

What you most likely want to use is light gauge (18-20)stranded wire. Solid core tends to break if you bend it too much.
Old pc power supplies usually are great places to scavenge multi colored wire that is good to use.

atarihomestar:

Sherdian: Great idea to use the old PC power supply wire.  All totalled, I've probably got about 1000 feet of that stuff. :-)

Is this right?

  Stranded wire benefits: doesn't break easily
  Stranded wire drawbacks: doesn't stay put

  Solid core benefits: stays put
  Solid core drawbacks: breaks easily



More Cowbell:

The only thing I would caution you on with the stranded wire is that it is a bit more of a pain to work with when soldering to the keywizzes. The solid core 18 guage plugs right into the holes and can be soldered quickly and easily. I've never had a problem with it breaking before despite much moving around.

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