Self0Solder DMS3 on a 3001 model

[rimnet]

I have never soldered in my life before, but i consider myself good at doing things for the first time. I am getting my DMS3 in the mail tommarow and I plan to get the supplies from Radio Shack once it arrives.

I have already did a search on the forums to check previous tips on self soldering and such, however there doesnt seem to be a comprehensive thread available on these forums or on the net for people who need tips and such, maybe this could be the first?

I am hoping someone would summarize some tips for everyone, and then we could float this for future inquierers. =)

My main question aside from this would be: how hard is it to solder this chip into my ps2? do you really need all that experiance? or do you simply need to get the basic down such as making good joints as opposed to dry ones.

thank you

[TylerDurden]

Well youve picked the chip with the most wires to install at this point in time. If you do a search youll find some good techniques. I recommend eating bannanas for the potasium. Potasium steadies your nerves so your hands wont shake during the install.

But your suggestion for a tutorial on this is a good one. Maybe Ill put one together.



Tyler!

[spedmetal]

Here are a few essential supplies you’re going to need

15 watt soldering iron

60/40 or 66/44 .25 rosin core solder

22AWG stranded wire for power and ground

30 or 34AWG kynar (or enameled wire what ever your preference try both and see what you like best) wire for everything else

Solder paste to aid in making a clean strong joint

De-soldering braid is nice to have around incase you get into some trouble.

An x-acto knife for scraping via's (some people use a fiberglass pen) if you have to, and for applying solder paste

Wire cutters or finger nail clippers

Tweezers are very useful

That plastic tack doe that people use to stick posters to the wall works great for when you need 3 hands or to just hold your wires in place temporally

A hot glue gun is not needed always but is nice to tack your wires down when you’re all done.

Some times hot glue can’t be used for what ever reason and a little super glue does a great job of holding wires in place....not recomender though because if you have to change something its very hard to remove the wires from the board, unlike hot glue.

A good set of Phillips screw drivers from very small (like jewelers sizes) all the way up to a #2 for the case screws

A small Tupperware bowl for holding all your screws and small parts

I don’t use the banana trick I just have a beer or shot of Jack, which calms my nerves right down...... just kidding Tyler. Haven’t tried the banana thing but have seen other people mention it since I first saw Tyler talk about it.

PRACTICE!!! Find an old busted up radio or CD player or network card or modem that you can practice on for a good day or two before attempting your install.

Last but not least take your time this is your first install look to spend no less then 3 hours on this or even more. Just be patent.

Good luck!

[Warlock]

Originally posted by spedmetal
Here are a few essential supplies you’re going to need

15 watt soldering iron

60/40 or 66/44 .25 rosin core solder

22AWG stranded wire for power and ground

30 or 34AWG kynar (or enameled wire what ever your preference try both and see what you like best) wire for everything else

Solder paste to aid in making a clean strong joint

De-soldering braid is nice to have around incase you get into some trouble.

An x-acto knife for scraping via's (some people use a fiberglass pen) if you have to, and for applying solder paste

Wire cutters or finger nail clippers

Tweezers are very useful

That plastic tack doe that people use to stick posters to the wall works great for when you need 3 hands or to just hold your wires in place temporally

A hot glue gun is not needed always but is nice to tack your wires down when you’re all done.

Some times hot glue can’t be used for what ever reason and a little super glue does a great job of holding wires in place....not recomender though because if you have to change something its very hard to remove the wires from the board, unlike hot glue.

A good set of Phillips screw drivers from very small (like jewelers sizes) all the way up to a #2 for the case screws

A small Tupperware bowl for holding all your screws and small parts

I don’t use the banana trick I just have a beer or shot of Jack, which calms my nerves right down...... just kidding Tyler. Haven’t tried the banana thing but have seen other people mention it since I first saw Tyler talk about it.

PRACTICE!!! Find an old busted up radio or CD player or network card or modem that you can practice on for a good day or two before attempting your install.

Last but not least take your time this is your first install look to spend no less then 3 hours on this or even more. Just be patent.

Good luck!

This is a good start for a tutorial.....Nice work spedmetal.

[crazygamelover]

I'll second that Warlock. Excellent job there Spedmatal.

[Dustpuppy]

I would say that the solderingiron tip shouldn't be bigger than 0.6mm.

Great work spedmetal

*I'm planning to put up a site there most installpics for most modchips and PS2 versions can be found, I will post when I have put it together.
Pleas PM me if there is any insterest of it so I don't do it and nobody wants it...*

[spedmetal]

Yes thats a very good point Dustpuppy. Forgot to add that. Thanks for all your complements.

[rimnet]

ok i got everything you said... two things im not sure of tho...

is 20 gauge stranded type:AWM fine for the power/grounding?

and how about

60/40 .032 diam. 2.5 oz light-duty rosin-core solder?

[spedmetal]

The solder is fine. The 20AWG wire might be a little large but might work just fine. Practice with it first if its just to large get some 22AWG. The larger size wire might take allot of heat and the little 15 watt iron might not be enough. One other thing that I do is I have 2 irons going at the same time. The 15 watt for all the 30AWG wire's and a adujstable iron from 600º to 800º for the larger wire ( I also like to use enamaled wire and use the hot iron for stripping/burning the enamel off ). The larger iron is not needed so much, just nice to have.

[Warlock]

As Spedmetal stated earlier Practice, Do this until you can "neatly" connect to the smallest points everytime, then practice some more. You should at least be confident with yourself before attempting the install.Also use short wire lengths, especially for the ground. More wire = weaker signal.