Gamecube Region mod solderless

I'm reading this guide that I had to dig out of the Web Archive and it said I don't need to solder the Kynar wires to the points, and instead just stick them into the holes and use electrical tape. I heard there are problems with doing this on JP systems, but I do have only US systems. Has anybody tried this or is just solder more reliable no matter what. It could be cheaper than paying $35+ shipping to eStarland.

 

Its accomplishing the exact same thing - you are fitting a switch between 2 points. You should solder it in really. But if just resting the wire is good enough for you - its the same result.

 

Sounds like a great way to fry something.

 

I was thinking using the bottom hole up method, tape the exposed ends of the wire, then more tape. Sounds better than melting the board with an iron.

 

I don't think you'll find tape quite form fitting enough. Trying to install a switch is part of what caused my own gamecube troubles.

 

i would advise against it mate, if it comes loose theirs a good chance you will short something, not worth taking the risk for 2 seconds of soldering time

 

You won't melt the board with an iron, it'll burn for one but for another the entire PCB goes into an oven in temperatures well above 300F. What is more likely is you lifting a trace.

Don't tape wires in. It's foolish.

 

Just tin the kynar wire an then solder it. If your wanting to use a tape method, your in over you head. Btw clean your iron tip with braid before tapping the tined kynar wire into place. You may need flux for this job.

 

Alright. I'd just practice tapping the Kynars.

 

LOL @ tape mods. DON'T DO IT!

 

I dont know but for me tape it is out of the question.

 

Out of the Tape to Not Tape ratio he's going to tape it anyway.

 

I'm going for "Don't tape it", but let's see what happens.

Tape is an adhesive which will eventually dry up and fall off. the lead will then fly all over the place (if disturbed) and have the potential to fry everything.

Soldering it easy anyways- heat the iron, melt lead, place wire (with flux) and touch the iron to the lead for half a second. That will last a lifetime.

 

You dont put the solder on the tip of the iron first. Thats bad soldering and leads to dry joints.

 

I've modded 3 gamecubes with a region switch,I just tin the wires then solder them on,the points are small but not to hard of a job.

 

That's tinning the tip essentially. I solder this way and my joints are perfect. It's pretty hard to solder with lead-free without tinning the tip with some solder first. Doesn't really matter how you do it as long as the solder flows into the joint

 

No, its not. You are applying solder to the tip, which causes the solder to start to break down and will give bad joints. Solder should only be liquid for a very short time. Also the parts you are connecting need to be hot (so just dabbing the solder onto them = nono)

You are supposed to heat the part that needs soldering and let that melt the solder. A cold terminal/pad and hot solder = bad/cold joint.

Its not the correct way to solder and certainly doesnt end up with correct joints. They might work, even for a long time - but its wrong.

A tinned iron shouldnt have enough solder to actually come off the iron and make the joint, as was described above.


To be fair, just tin the wire and tin the pad/via and do it your way is also acceptable (and might be what you trying to get across)

 

The last thing you said, that's what I'm saying. I just tin the tip with the solder instead of actual tinner. It's nearly impossible to get lead-free solder to do anything without dabbing a bit on the tip in my experience. In fact, the solder spends a LOT less time being molten when I use my prescribed method. It's not like I sit there with a giant blob of solder on the tip for 2 minutes.

Tip to solder, solder to joint, applying more solder as needed. Done

 

Unless one has the joint itself heated beforehand.
I'm aware that both ends need to be heated first- and I have a very small gas heater just for that.

To some it's easier to do it the other way, but because my hands are often shaky (hypoglycemia) I need to have one hand free for stability.

 

I did my region mod with a super cheap soldering iron and it was my first time doing work on a PCB. That was well over 7 years ago.

It's a REALLY easy mod to do. Don't bother with tape...hell if you're that afraid of it, hot glue would be a better solution - though I advise you solder it.