Getting the factory wires off your ESC

[vintage AE]

I'm having problems getting the factory wires off of my Novak Havoc. I want to use specific coloured wires to customize it. I have a Team Checkpoint soldering iron, so my iron is not the issue. I can't seem to get the flippin wires unsoldered. It appears as if the wire goes through a hole and soldered on the bottom and then snipped.

The only thing I can think of is to snip the wire off just above the top of the panel and solder the new wire as close to the surface as possible.

Anyone have any suggestions

[jwscab]

the wires do go through a via (plated hole) and are very efficient at carrying current(and because they are closely related, heat as well).

if you don't care about the wires, clip them off and use something like a dental pick or similar to 'flick' the wire stubs out of the hole as you heat with an iron. it helps to have a clamp or something with a third hand vise to hold the pcb while doing the work. use a lot of fresh solder as you apply heat, the flux will get things moving, the dripping solder will help pull the strands away. too many times i see people try and work solder joints without using more solder or if you have it, flux. it makes the solder less like oatmeal and more fluid.

[Charlie don't surf]

Just use a little pull while holding the iron under there and you should be good to go, looks like you are hitting it in the right spot

[vintage AE]

Just use a little pull while holding the iron under there and you should be good to go, looks like you are hitting it in the right spot

I've been pulling on it

I'm good to go, but my wires are no different

[GJW]

heat rises so heat from underneath and make sure the solder liquefies on the top plated hole also, are you sure your iron is hot enough? add some more solder while desoldering too that always helps me with stubborn joints

[vintage AE]

Good point about looking at the top. It's always been facing down and me pulling down as the solder melts.

And the solder on the iron is usually the way I go when soldering or unsoldering.

[vintage AE]

I'm still tugging on the wires, but not getting anywhere with it.

I feel as though I'm going to apply too much heat and damage the esc somehow, is that possible?

[Charlie don't surf]

If your iron is above 900f then you can, but if your iron is tinned correctly then it should take no more than 5-8 seconds to loosen the solder enough

[vintage AE]

I always tin it and the dial on it only goes to 896, but I guess that's close enough.

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

You might have to have your ol' lady help you. I have my wife help me solder from time to time. It sounds a lot like in bed

"Wow that's hot."

"No, grab it here."

"OK, now pull on it..."

I could go on like this all day..............well actually that's the one statement my wife never hears....

[vintage AE]

I'm working in the field at an oil rig...I'm not going to ask any of them to do any of what ya just mentioned

The crappy thing is that the only thing I have to hold down the esc is a pair of medium sized vice grips. I guess I could always go out to the rig and borrow some tools, but then they might wonder what I was up to. I'm working with a company right now that is very safety oriented and I'm pretty sure that if they found out I was soldering without the proper PPE and permits there would be an issue

[soniccj5]

I have not worked on my Havoc speed controller yet, but I did remove the wires from the motor(factory installed 10.5 kit). It was very difficult.


I would use new solder as mentioned earlier. Once you see it starting to loosen up use a solder sucker to remove the liquefied solder. Eventually there will not be any solder left in the hole.

Good luck.

ED

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I can't believe those wires are holding on. The factory must do a lot better job than me. My Savage and Pumpkin have both had a wire come loose in there after I installed new ones. I think it's time I invest in a real soldering iron . Not joking, have you tried holding it down with your foot?

[scr8p]

just throw it away and get a different speedo. that's what H.P. Freak would do.

[klavy69]

just throw it away and get a different speedo. that's what H.P. Freak would do.

You might have to have your ol' lady help you. I have my wife help me solder from time to time. It sounds a lot like in bed

"Wow that's hot."

"No, grab it here."

"OK, now pull on it..."

"Are you done...yet?"

I could go on like this all day..............well actually that's the one statement my wife never hears....

Leave it to thumber ...
Todd