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I need to change/upgrade a broken RCA connector on a power amp (an old Hitachi amp, 200 watts/channel). I bought a pair of Cardas gold/rhodium 'short' connectors. Is there anything I should watch out for? Should I use a heat sink before soldering on new connectors? I'm a newbie on things like this, but am pretty handy, and can solder pretty well. There appears to be enough room to fit the new connectors.Thank you!!
Follow Ups:
nt
sinks as I can squeeze in (Radio Shack carries tiny, flat jawed copper "colored" alligator clips).In addition to clip style heat sinks I plug the RCA being soldered into a spare male/female RCA (depending on the type I'm working with).
I've been soldering for 45 years (pretty good @ it), but it only takes a slight hesitation to damage/fry delicate pieces.
I use a mini vice and "helping hands" (made from alligator clips and stiff heavy gauge solid core wire) to secure small parts.
When I was younger I worked much faster (without the aid of "helping hands"), but now I'm happy to just get things right the first time.
There's an online soldering tutorial somehwere. Perhaps someone can steer you to it? Using a clean, but tinned tip is important.
Try using a clip-on heat sink for your delicate work, or a small hemostat.Happy Soldering !
be kind of expensive, but now they sell for a few $ @ the local flea markets.
sure to plug in both + & - terminals while I'm soldering. I have checked the internet for soldering tips and pointers- there is a LOT of information out there. I have a pair of mini-vicegrip needlenose pliers that I was thinking of using as a heat sink as well. Where do the wires go from the RCA connectors? Are they very heat sensitive? Is there a risk of damaging other parts?
Thank you all for all your help!!
Clamping heat sinks go between the joint area and the rest of the RCA, plus the additional/opposite RCA connector for good measure.Our local Radio Shack now stores the cheap/little supplies in plastic drawered parts bins (they used to be hung on the pegboard). This is where I found the tiny copper "colored" flat jawed clips. I have old/similar clips (probably older than I am) which are made from copper. Don't think the new look-a-likes are copper, but they still do a decent job.
I was going to put the mini-visegrip on rather lightly, not strong enough to bend or ruin the connector, just stong enough to hold in place. Should a heatsink also be put on the wire I'll be soldering to the connector?Thank you!
This is functionally like a mini vise-grip, but much smaller and designed to work in tight areas. Is a surgical instrument, but they usually sell them in Radio Shack. Great for placing wires, crimping them for a good mechanical connection, and then to use as a heat sink.
not tried this. The only non-insulated electrical/signal wire I have soldered has been on gang ground leads.Good or bad I use light weight "flimsy" heat sinks, because these are what my father used.
nt
...know what the material is between the signal and ground sections of the rca but you don't want to risk melting it by overheating. Also, I suggest using as little solder as needed to make a good connection. Be sure the new rca is properly insulated from the chassis of the amp; usually there are little plastic or teflon insulating washers included with the rca's. Also, be sure the rca is *well* tightened onto the chassis before you make the connection with the signal wire; those little guys always seem to want to loosen up on me!
nt
nt
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