Support Group/Thread For Mod Addiction or MA

[HARDTRAILZ]

I had them delete the SAIS code as well while doing the clutch one. Knew it was a worthless piece that would never be fixed.

 

[Capote]

Well I'll wait until next paycheck to get the other fan clutch. Have a lot of goodies already on the way that you guys will like

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Do you even need one? I would run what ya got til it fails.

 

[Capote]

You guys said its better

 

[djthumper]

It is better but don't waste your money just to upgrade... Unless you are getting your tune soon.

 

[Capote]

I am getting my tune next time I'm at Brandon's

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Just have him tune out codes once needed. The only better ir that it does not fail as much.

 

[Mooseman]

He can still tune out the codes now even before getting the non-electro viscous clutch. The electro-viscous clutch will still work if it hasn't failed yet. When it does fail, he'll be ready.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Same with the SAIS, but being he is not sending his in and having BT do it: he can swing by and hang with him again anytime for a retune.

 

[Capote]

Same with the SAIS, but being he is not sending his in and having BT do it: he can swing by and hang with him again anytime for a retune.

Yeah we'll be using HP Tuners, I just have to pay initially use it, then I'm good for whenever

 

[Sparky]

I plan on getting HP tuners one of these days. Would be great for the Silverado and the Camaro both as I mod things.

 

[Capote]

I plan on getting HP tuners one of these days. Would be great for the Silverado and the Camaro both as I mod things.

Brandon has used it a lot, I'm eager to get my hands on the tune he's been working on

 

[djthumper]

I have been looking at the HP tuners also would not mind having a Tech2. Especially if it works on my 14 Silverado as well.

 

[Capote]

I have been looking at the HP tuners also would not mind having a Tech2. Especially if it works on my 14 Silverado as well.

You ever use DashCommand Thumper? Great app, can also read and clear codes with it too

 

[Mounce]

I would say the point of wanting a tech 2 would not be to read codes even though it can.

 

[Capote]

I'm just asking him if he ever used DC dude

 

[Mounce]

Oh thought you were proposing that as an option against the tech 2.

I want to mod stuff. But too little time.

 

[Capote]

Oh no, just curious

My soldering irons suck ass now, can't even use them right, pissing me off

 

[djthumper]

I have a few different apps to read the codes including one on my laptop that can do some other stuff the apps don't seem to do. I have replaced a few PCMs in cars that I worked on and for some reason they were configured correctly and had to bring them back to be done again. With a Tech2 I could do it without an additional charge that HP tuners would have.

 

[dmanns67]

Oh no, just curious

My soldering irons suck ass now, can't even use them right, pissing me off

Pick up a Weller WLC100 solder station. Nice station for $38. We use Weller brand here at the plant, very good quality.

 

[Capote]

Pick up a Weller WLC100 solder station. Nice station for $38. We use Weller brand here at the plant, very good quality.

I don't do enough soldering to spend $38 on one brother. I did some research as to why mine aren't working anymore. My tips are possibly too dirty and I need to soak them in that cleaning solution, my soldering irons aren't getting hot enough to properly melt the solder, or I need solder with more tin.

What would you say to this David? I can only melt solder with the bottom most part of my tip, not even at the point anymore. And the solder is having a hard time sticking to where I need it.

 

[djthumper]

I don't do enough soldering to spend $38 on one brother. I did some research as to why mine aren't working anymore. My tips are possibly too dirty and I need to soak them in that cleaning solution, my soldering irons aren't getting hot enough to properly melt the solder, or I need solder with more tin.

What would you say to this David? I can only melt solder with the bottom most part of my tip, not even at the point anymore. And the solder is having a hard time sticking to where I need it.

Cleaning solution= water and sponge

 

[Capote]

Cleaning solution= water and sponge

I always use the sponge, but I've never had the solution before. Where could I get some from? Could Radio Shack have it?

 

[dmanns67]

I don't do enough soldering to spend $38 on one brother. I did some research as to why mine aren't working anymore. My tips are possibly too dirty and I need to soak them in that cleaning solution, my soldering irons aren't getting hot enough to properly melt the solder, or I need solder with more tin.

What would you say to this David? I can only melt solder with the bottom most part of my tip, not even at the point anymore. And the solder is having a hard time sticking to where I need it.

As far as cleaning the tip, I like the Hakko solder tip cleaning wire/holder. $8 on Amazon. I usually clean the tip after every solder. I don't do a whole lot of soldering either, but wanted to buy a quality solder station. The WLC100 ranges from 5w to 40w and will reach up to 900*F.

For solder, I like the 60/40. 60% tin and 40% lead with a rosin flux core. The flux prevents oxidation of base and filler materials. I use a small diameter as well, .032" which has a low melting point of 376*F.

Check to see what the max temp is on your solder iron and also check to see what the melting point is of the solder you are using. The .032" diameter solder is easier to work with IMO.

 

[Capote]

As far as cleaning the tip, I like the Hakko solder tip cleaning wire/holder. $8 on Amazon. I usually clean the tip after every solder. I don't do a whole lot of soldering either, but wanted to buy a quality solder station. The WLC100 ranges from 5w to 40w and will reach up to 900*F.

For solder, I like the 60/40. 60% tin and 40% lead with a rosin flux core. The flux prevents oxidation of base and filler materials. I use a small diameter as well, .032" which has a low melting point of 376*F.

Check to see what the max temp is on your solder iron and also check to see what the melting point is of the solder you are using. The .032" diameter solder is easier to work with IMO.

I'll take a look then at that station. I'm unsure what both my soldering irons' max temps are or power. Both were cheap, one crapped on me today, both the wires on the inside came undone from the part that heats the tip... The solder, I have no idea what its ratio is or diameter, it happened to come with one of my soldering irons. At this point I might as well buy a quality one next time. Different solder too, something thinner and with a lower melting point. All this crap equipment makes any LED bulb mods a PITA and more time consuming than it should be.

 

[dmanns67]

I'll take a look then at that station. I'm unsure what both my soldering irons' max temps are or power. Both were cheap, one crapped on me today, both the wires on the inside came undone from the part that heats the tip... The solder, I have no idea what its ratio is or diameter, it happened to come with one of my soldering irons. At this point I might as well buy a quality one next time. Different solder too, something thinner and with a lower melting point. All this crap equipment makes any LED bulb mods a PITA and more time consuming than it should be.

I believe 63/37 solder will have a slightly lower melting point than 60/40, but I would stick with 60/40.

Definitely make sure the solder you are using has a rosin flux core. The other option of solder has an acid flux core which is primarily used in plumbing applications and should NOT be used on electronics. Maybe that is your issue you're are seeing?

Another aspect about the WLC100 I forgot to mention is that the tips can be changed out. In your case, if the tip is not getting hot enough due to buildup, you can replace it. Weller has (8) different tip styles to choose from for the ST series.

For all the LED soldering you do, if you go with the WLC100, pick up the ST7 tip. Its their smallest tip, .012" on the tip round. That combined with the smaller diameter solder will make soldering easier for you. The station comes with the standard 1/8" ST3 flat head tip.

 

[Blckshdw]

I think the 2nd biggest difference for me going from the Radio Shack starter soldering iron to the variable temp station I have now, is that I was able to buy a set of differently shaped tips to go with it. Having a smaller, and narrower tip made soldering LEDs and resistors SO much easier, and less of a PIA.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

All this chat about soldering and you really just need duct tape

 

[DAlastDON]

Something i do when the tip is not getting hot enough, because of the crud, is hit it with some sand paper. Then keep the tip tinned and try not to melt anymore wire insulation on it.

 

[littleblazer]

I use Emory cloth on it tbh.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

I am def getting to the point i need to consider moving from the basic iron i have now to a full on soldering station. Especially if i end up fabbing up a wiring harness for one of the dirt bikes and eventual rewiring of my old Dodge....then it will be a good investment.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Any tool that assists in mods is a good investment

 

[BlazingTrails]

I don't do enough soldering to spend $38 on one brother. I did some research as to why mine aren't working anymore. My tips are possibly too dirty and I need to soak them in that cleaning solution, my soldering irons aren't getting hot enough to properly melt the solder, or I need solder with more tin.

What would you say to this David? I can only melt solder with the bottom most part of my tip, not even at the point anymore. And the solder is having a hard time sticking to where I need it.

Your tip is burned up brother, you need a new one. You've got to keep the flux wiped off of the tip between solder joints or it will burn up the tip. I could go on for days about taking care of the tip......get on youtube and watch videos about it. there are some very knowledgeable guys on there.


This is some of my equipment. This has a 90 psi air line from my compressor ran to it. It has a vacuum generator in the base. The most fantastic soldering device I have ever owned!

Weller WDD81X

These pens connect to the same base/power supply. I swap them out depending on what I am working on.

Weller EC1201A
Weller WMP Micro Pencil

I also Have Solder pot

American Beauty 300

Then there is this big guy right here.

260 Watt soldering Gun.

This is what you need to clean your tip, it works great and is better for your tip.

Brass Shavings.

I also have a lot of different rolls of solder, flux, boards, components, etc.

Capote has used some of my soldering equipment so he knows how awesome it works. I have been trying to get him to invest in something decent to no avail

 

[Blckshdw]

$700+ for a soldering station? Are you required to wear fancy pants while operating it?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

It requires modding your wardrobe and investing in fedora's

 

[dmanns67]

Your tip is burned up brother, you need a new one. You've got to keep the flux wiped off of the tip between solder joints or it will burn up the tip. I could go on for days about taking care of the tip......get on youtube and watch videos about it. there are some very knowledgeable guys on there.


This is some of my equipment. This has a 90 psi air line from my compressor ran to it. It has a vacuum generator in the base. The most fantastic soldering device I have ever owned!

Weller WDD81X

These pens connect to the same base/power supply. I swap them out depending on what I am working on.

Weller EC1201A
Weller WMP Micro Pencil

I also Have Solder pot

American Beauty 300

Then there is this big guy right here.

260 Watt soldering Gun.

This is what you need to clean your tip, it works great and is better for your tip.

Brass Shavings.

I also have a lot of different rolls of solder, flux, boards, components, etc.

Capote has used some of my soldering equipment so he knows how awesome it works. I have been trying to get him to invest in something decent to no avail

I agree the brass wire works great and you do not have to worry about lowering the temp of your iron. The one I found on Amazon has a holder for the wire. Damn that's an expensive station. I will stick with my $38 station.

 

[BlazingTrails]

$700+ for a soldering station? Are you required to wear fancy pants while operating it?

haha no, but I do take electronics very seriously. Soldering is part of what i do for a living

I agree the brass wire works great and you do not have to worry about lowering the temp of your iron. The one I found on Amazon has a holder for the wire. Damn that's an expensive station. I will stick with my $38 station.

I don't think you guys realize that it is not just a power supply, this is a DE-soldering station. It works unbelievably well, when you heat joints up with the tip you just push a button and it sucks the solder up through the center of the tip. It is amazing, and I did not pay $700 for it, I got used used for about half of that I was just showing a link to the item so you could see what it was.

 

[dmanns67]

haha no, but I do take electronics very seriously. Soldering is part of what i do for a living


I don't think you guys realize that it is not just a power supply, this is a DE-soldering station. It works unbelievably well, when you heat joints up with the tip you just push a button and it sucks the solder up through the center of the tip. It is amazing, and I did not pay $700 for it, I got used used for about half of that I was just showing a link to the item so you could see what it was.

That's pretty sweet and hell of a deal. I just have one of those cheap "solder sucker" removal tools.

 

[Blckshdw]

haha no, but I do take electronics very seriously. Soldering is part of what i do for a living


I don't think you guys realize that it is not just a power supply, this is a DE-soldering station. It works unbelievably well, when you heat joints up with the tip you just push a button and it sucks the solder up through the center of the tip. It is amazing, and I did not pay $700 for it, I got used used for about half of that I was just showing a link to the item so you could see what it was.

Yeah, that's pretty bad ass. That would definitely come in handy. OK, so you don't need fancy pants, but definitely Hammer pants while using it!

 

[BlazingTrails]

Does this make me an elitest?

Haha