Soldering Flex strips !!!! HELP!!!!

[mmciver]

I am having some issues soldering to the flex strips.  I pulled the covering back, placed the wires on the pads and soldered, but I seem to be having problems with the solder sticking to the copper pads.

Any ideas?  I have a few of these to solder and would love some guidance.

Mike.

[tng5737]

You could take something like a scotch-brite pad and lightly go over the pad then apply some flux before you solder

[Dennis Cherry]

1. What kind of solder are you using.
2. Try cleaning the solder pads first with some alcohol on a Q-tip first and then tin the solder pads before placing the wire on the pad.

[tbone321]

This is usally caused by either not enough flux and or not enough heat applied to the pad.  Remember that this wire is thin and will heat up quickly and begin to allow the solder to melt way before the pad gets hot enough for a proper connection.  In this case the solder will melt on the wire and flow to the cold pad and not stick.  Make sure that when you are soldering these that the iron is on the pad as well as the wire and touch the solder to the pad and not the wire alone.  If the pad is hot enough to melt the solder, then the thinner wire will be as well and you should get a good joint.  If not, then check to see what type of solder you are using.

[mmciver]

Thanks for all the feedback! It could also be because of operating error!

Turns out that after I peeled back the outer silicon cover, the strip was still covered with silicon.  Apparently solder doesn't stick well to melted silicone:)

Mike.