soldering question, what am I doing wrong?

Posted by bucky [66.69.130.137] on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 19:27:09 :

I have attempted to solder a component onto a circuit board (part of my swimming pool salt water chlorinator control panel)and am not having much luck. I am using a generic lead free (says Silver bearing).062" dia rosin core solder. I have tried both a battery powered & 110V soldering iron. I believe I am getting good heat. I also have sanded/cleaned the areas that I'm working with.

My problem is that the solder wont hardly melt, then when is does melt it doesn't stick to the parts (that's where I'm applying the heat), instead it just rolls up into a BB & rolls away. Am I doing it wrong, or using the wrong solder. The part is rather small, so from what I've read I could use a smaller diameter solder. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

Follow Ups:

• Lead free is for water lines. Use 60/40. - Chris Case 20:07:26 03/24/2015
• Re: soldering question, what am I doing wrong? - mozark 19:37:54 03/24/2015
  • a couple of pointers - mozark 19:54:16 03/24/2015
    • Re: a couple of pointers - Johnd 05:36:38 03/25/2015
    • The battery powered iron is new. The 110V one is ancient - bucky 21:03:15 03/24/2015
      • Re: The battery powered iron is new. The 110V one is ancient - Jess 21:38:31 03/24/2015
        • BINGO - Sherman in Idaho 21:54:54 03/24/2015
          • Mine is BernzOmatic Electrical Rosin Core Solder (Lead Free) - bucky 22:43:46 03/24/2015
            • Re: Mine is BernzOmatic Electrical Rosin Core Solder (Lead Free) - Sherman in Idaho 23:57:07 03/24/2015
              • Thanks. - bucky 23:39:35 03/25/2015

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