Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Karl5150 on August 31, 2021, 03:40:59 AM

Title: Terminal strips
Post by: Karl5150 on August 31, 2021, 03:40:59 AM: Having rebuilt several of my BH kits and built a couple of other kits that required purchasing the components, I have more often than not ended up with terminal strips that were difficult to get the solder to flow and stick to, especially the lower holes. I use a Weller station with plenty of heat and a wedge tip.
For my current build I lightly scuffed the strips with 1500 grit and wiped them down with 91% alcohol. I still ended up with a couple failed resistance test points that fell into line after I touched-up a connection point where the 3 leads were soldered to each other but not conducting to the lower hole.
What brand comes in the BH kits or have others used with success? This hasn't been a problem on the original builds.
Thanks,
Karl
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Thermioniclife on August 31, 2021, 03:49:14 AM: I believe BH uses Kobiconn I have not had any problem with them. I also use Keystone. Mouser carries both of them.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Paul Birkeland on August 31, 2021, 06:35:17 AM: I've noticed that too on terminal strips with the lighter colored phenolic. I suspect some extra flux might be the trick to make them work better.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Karl5150 on August 31, 2021, 07:03:38 AM: Thanks guys.
I do tend to add a touch of flux, my soldering still needs the little help it gives.
I think they are the Keystone brand. Another issue is that the phenolic almost touches the chassis - no room to slip the wires underneath without a little work with the Dremel.
Guess I should look around and have a stash of the correct style on hand, I doubt a couple of unused terminal strips will be anything the kids fight over down the road. (Though I do hope there'll be at least some haggling over who gets the amps :>)
Karl
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Thermioniclife on August 31, 2021, 08:58:00 AM: Yeah I worry when I'm gone my sister will sell all my amps, preamps, headphone amps at a yard sale for $12.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: oguinn on August 31, 2021, 09:08:11 AM: I listed my amps in my will Â¯\_(ãƒ„)_/Â¯
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Thermioniclife on August 31, 2021, 10:05:10 AM: Good idea, my nephews are not interested or my sister and husband. Perhaps I will be buried with them.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: oguinn on August 31, 2021, 10:29:32 AM: I volunteer to be in your will.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Thermioniclife on August 31, 2021, 11:35:17 AM: Roger that what part of the country do you live? You might have to pay for freight.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: oguinn on August 31, 2021, 12:01:37 PM: Iâ€™m centrally located in KC. Just a quick plane ride (plus at least one connection in the wrong direction) from anywhere!
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Phippers on October 05, 2021, 02:06:41 AM: " Perhaps I will be buried with them. "

Hey Lee, that's really putting the "Terminal" in "Terminal Strips" ;)
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: Deluk on October 05, 2021, 04:27:33 AM: Maybe S26 phosphoric acid flux or Baker's Fluid and a few Q tips if you are really having trouble. Clean the tabs before fitting. If the wires are fitted to the terminals properly with a good bent and crimped joint they can easily take some extra contact time with your solder bit.
Title: Re: Terminal strips
Post by: ManuelaOrtiz on October 10, 2021, 11:36:02 PM: Yes, the first thing to check the correct connection of the wires to the terminals, and then you'll see, a lot of good advice here!