Introduction
Soldering is an important skill to learn to build things like toys or cars. But faulty soldering can cause accidents because of loose connections. We know it’s very risky to operate such devices.
Do you want to learn how to solder bullet connectors?
You can do it with 5 simple steps. First, tin the wire leads. Make sure the soldering iron is hot enough. Second, pre-tin the bullet connectors. Third, join each wire and connector together. Fourth, clean off the connector joints. Finally, put the plastic housing connector on.
Are you still having doubts? No worries! Because now we will explain the whole process for your better understanding.
Stick around!
How to Solder Bullet Connectors: Step-by-Step Guideline
Soldering technique is a very important skill. And you should learn to do it. Especially, if you want a secure connection on your devices.
But before that, you should also know how strong is solder. Or else you could make a mess of your remote control vehicle.
Once you are done with the basics you’re ready to move on to the step-by-step guidelines. Now, let’s learn about the tools you would need to begin.
Tools
We’ve got a proper list for you-
- 40-watt soldering iron
- Soldering jig
- Wet sponge
- Wire stripper
- Shellac Thinner (Alcohol)
- Paper towel
- Plastic connector housing
- 1.5mm hex driver
At this point, you might be worried about a good soldering iron. Because a decent tool makes the process quicker and easier. So, when you’re thinking about soldering iron you should also consider the 5 best soldering iron.
But fret not! We’ve got a list of the best soldering irons for you:
| Product 1 | |
| Product 2 |
We’ve now learned about the tools, but it’s time to get into the steps-
Step 1: Tin The Wire Leads
You can start with striping the end of your wire leads about ¾”. Then, place your wires in the wire stripper. Remember to wipe off your soldering iron on a wet sponge.
After that, heat the backside of the stripped ends with the iron. It’ll get your wires hot. Then you can apply fresh solder to those exposed parts.
Make sure the exposed ends have adequate solder around them. One of the common soldering problems is that sometimes it doesn’t flow properly. In that case, reheat the wire and put a little bit more solder on them.
Step 2: Pre-tin The Bullet Connectors
Start with grabbing your soldering jig. Put the bullet connector in the jig. Always remember to clean your soldering iron off. And put a little solder on it.
After that touch the iron to the side of the bullet connector. Then wait a few seconds to transfer the heat in there. Next, apply the solder down to the bottom of the hole. The idea here is to fill the cup up about two-thirds with solder.
Run the soldering iron across the top of the hole. Ensure the whole cup of the connector has a nice coating of solder. Later set it aside to cool. Do the same with the rest of the connectors.
Step 3: Join The Wire And The Bullet Connector
You’ve got both your bullet connectors and wires properly tinned. Now, grab one of the bullet connectors. Then plug it into the soldering jig.
Hereafter grab the soldering iron. Remember to clean it off every time you use it. Otherwise, it’ll be irritating to remove the oxides from the tip of it. You see, both stuck sets of screw and oxidized soldering iron are troublesome.
Put a little solder on the side of the cleaned soldering iron. It’ll ensure good contact with the connector.
Next, hold the soldering iron to the side of the pre-tinned bullet connector. You’ll see the heat start to flow across the connector. Later the solder will start to melt and get nice and shiny.
Then, take the pre-tinned wire. Dip it up and down the pool of molten solder of the connector a couple of times. It’ll ensure you get a good heat transfer. Also, move the soldering iron up in the little crack. Move it between the wire and the bullet connector round.
Finally, hold back the soldering iron. At this point, hold the wire and connector perfectly still. Wait for 10-15 seconds until that solder solidifies. Repeat this step with all the other wires and connectors
Step 4: Clean Off The Bullet Connector Joints
Do you know alcohol works best as a solvent for the flux? It’s called shellac thinner.
First, pour a little bit of alcohol into a little epoxy cup. Next, dip each of the bullet connector joints down in the alcohol. Then swirl them around a little bit.
Afterward, you can rub the flux off with your fingers. Then use the paper towel to dry the joints.
This is a very important step. If you leave that soldering flux on you can lose connection to your bullet connector. Because the flux acts like an insulator.
Step 5: Put The Plastic Connector Housing on
In this final step, insert each bullet connector into the plastic connector housing. Do it right after the soldering process to keep the connectors warm.
Next, push the bullet connectors into the plastic housing. Use a 1.5mm hex driver to put moderate to strong pressure on the connector. In this case, it’s important to choose the best hex driver.
Lastly, the connector will “pop” when it’s locked into the plastic housing. You’ll see the front of the plastic connector housing firmly seated on a solid surface.
FAQs
Question: What’s the difference between crimping and soldering cable connectors?
Answer: Crimping is constructed to develop an air-tight seal between the connectors. Soldering uses heated metal to merge the connectors. Overall, the quality of the solder or crimp connectors is the most crucial aspect.
Question: Can I solder without using flux?
Answer: Yes, you can solder without flux. Although the flux helps break down the oxides on the metal. But it’s not required as most solder nowadays already comes with a rosin core.
Question: Why will my solder not stick?
Answer: Particularly, solder won’t stick to something since you’re not getting it sufficiently. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Stroke some solder on it, and it should melt quickly.
Endnote
Overall, the detailed steps should answer your question- how to solder bullet connectors?
We hope this helps you to solder your bullet connectors without any further issues. Leave us a comment if this guideline helped you.
Don’t forget to maintain safety precautions.
Take care!
