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Old 11-27-2008, 11:39 PM
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dieselnutnj dieselnutnj is offline
CQ DE W2ICA
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Newton NJ
Posts: 163
a quicker "cheat is to carefully bend the aluminum tabs straight and slip board out since you have to remove it anyway. Get yourself some acetone, and a brass brush. I found mine in Walmart of all places. Dip brush in acetone and gently brush the connection side of the board. You want to see silver color on the solder connections. Once you have the lacquer cleaned off, you can take a pencil type soldering iron approx 25-35 watts and resolder the connections. With a magnifier you will see the "ring" cracks. From years of hot/cold cycles the solder joints expand and contract and crack. Be very careful resoldering around the IC's (black rectangular guys with multiple legs). Be careful of solder bridges, which is where the solder accidentaly flows accross two connections. While your out purchasing things, hit up your local Radio Shack, or Electronics supply house and get a roll of "solder wick" Great stuff! If you do happen to bridge any connections, you will be able to "wick up" the excess solder. When your done, just look the board over carefully and then slide unit back up into the aluminum box. With a pair of needle nose pliers or carefully with a screwdriver you can rebend your tabs back over and it will keep module in the housing!

Happy Turkey day!!!
Rick
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