I am a beginner at soldering and am trying to assemble a number of these small pcbs. In the process, I have to solder SK6812 MINI-E LEDs and am struggeling to get that right. My problem is that the LEDs tabs are almost exactly as large as the solder pads on the PCBs and if I apply solder and flux to the pads and try to use hot air to settle the tabs into place, they tend not to stick to the pads and if I try to put them in “dry” and solder them with the soldering iron (like a through hole connection), I have trouble getting solder between the tab and the pads. Any advice? Any video that shows how to solder this kind of joint?

  • r_wraithOP
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    fedilink
    11 year ago

    Thank you for the advice, I also tried that way but ran into problems because, the LED is supposed to sit in the hole in the pcb which requires the LED’s tabs to be more or less in contact with the pads. If I put a blob of solder on beforehand and then insert the LED into the hole, it is difficult to do and/or the tab bends upward.

    • @iamacat
      link
      21 year ago

      If you only put a blob on one of the 4 pads then you should be able to line up the led, melt the blob, and then gently set the led into the mounting hole. One soldered pad is plenty to hold it in place while you solder the rest normally.