Soldering a laptop mobo

Hey guys, I am trying to fix my girlfriends Toshiba Satelite M35X-S149 laptop because the AC power jack has come un-soldered from the motherboard. I'm using a standard soldering iron from radio shack, but I can't get the original solder to melt and allow me to repair this. Do any of you have any experience working with soldering motherboards? Perhaps I just have the wrong type of soldering iron. Any help on this subject is greatly appreciated!

 

A regular soldering iron would probably not have enough power to melt the stock solder, which is a high temperature lead free solder with silver added for thermal cycle durability. You will need to buy a more heavy duty Weller soldering iron and some soldering wick (braided copper) to remove the old solder first. Always use fresh solder for a better and more durable connection.

 

Great, very helpful! Thank you sir

 

Something like this would probably suffice.



You would probably want a finer tip.

 

radio shack soldering irons are terrible. They are about 10-15 watts, which is just not enough power. I agree with getting a weller, cause you can get a good 40-60 watt adjustable soldering iron for like $50 or so. I have an old soldering iron from miller welding, and that thing must use 200 watts, cause you cant melt right through lead and soft metals with it. a 40 watt soldering iron will be able to loosen that ac power jack right up. Your best bet, may be to go to a mechanic shop, or a real electronic warehouse to pick one up or borrow one. Many universities offer electical engineering, and I am sure if you stop by a electonic lab, a professor would let you borrow one for a few hours.

3300th post

K-TRON

 

Read this link! Be careful? Not easy.

Congrats K-T!

 

Thanks guys, you're right the soldering iron I have from Radio Shack is only 20 watts. Not enough apparently. My dad has an old soldering iron, I can't read the brand, and I could barely read the wattage, 45 watts. It was plenty to melt the solder, but I haven't fixed it yet, because I dont have the braided copper to remove the old solder. So, sounds like a trip back to Radio Shack is in order... not for an iron though. Thanks again.

 

I'm having the exact same problem, I have tried irons up to 900 degres and 50 watts...

The solder will not melt...

 

do you have a very thin tip on your soldering iron?
A 50 watt soldering iron will definitely be able to melt through the solder on your motherboard.

K-TRON

 

well, I think so. kind of like the tip of a pen..

 

That is very strange, what exactly are you trying to solder/desolder?

The only thing you can really do, is get a stronger soldering iron, and /or be patient and hold it for a while to melt the solder.

K-TRON

 

I'm trying to remove the dc jack. so I can replace it. I have a solder gun at 900 degrees and 50watts. I have held it there for up to 2 minutes...

 

maybe the solder used is more of an aluminum solder, which requires a higher temperature. I dont know where you can get a more powerful soldering iron for a decent price.
I would think 50 watts would be enough. I have done lots of motherboard soldering with a 45 watt iron.

If its a radio shack 50 watt, then that would make sense, cause their soldering irons are junk, and over spec'd. So that 50 watts may really be 15 watts.
If you have a weller or a good quality iron, than its probably 50 watts.

I dont know, I guess you just need a more powerful soldering iron.

K-TRON

 

Yeah, I have a weller at 50w and 900 degrees, I have tried 3 different irons also so it's not defective... wierd.. SO I need like a super iron??

 

Maybe the solder is like designed not to be removed. Even though I highy doubt it.
Yeah, I guess you need a super soldering iron. Try 100 watts. Maybe you can use google or the yellowpages and find electrical repair facilities. I am sure they would let you borrow/use a soldering iron. Universities with electrical engineering may also be a good place to ask. I know at RPI we have 75-200 watt soldering irons in our electronics labs, and even laser guided ones.

Good luck

K-TRON