I recently bought a joystick module with a breakout board.
The parts arrived in pieces, a breakout board seperate from the joystick module and the PVC thumb thing, for lack of better name thereof.
My question is this, as I was putting it together I noticed the breakout board and module fit perfectly and tight. Because of that I didn't bother soldering. To that effect, I keep getting 0 readings from it.
Do these parts always need to be soldered in orde to work? If yes, how come? (Why? Doesnt it connect with the breakout board and why is that, ... etc etc)
If not, what could be wrong?
The reason I haven't soldered to test it yet is because I do not own a soldering iron.
My father-in-law does, but being on lockdown means getting it there which is not an option (safety first!).
But because there is an option available I haven't ordered one. If you guys say it needs to be soldered, I'll just order a soldering iron and get it over with.
I do not know which joystick and board you have. A link and pics might help.
Yes, you need a soldering gun or station. What is your budget like? I made do with a simple soldering pen for a while but my mother-in-law got me a soldering station with accurate temp control and precise tips. This is MUCH better!
Mine is similar to this one on amazon but there are many at different price points.
vinceherman:
I do not know which joystick and board you have. A link and pics might help.
Yes, you need a soldering gun or station. What is your budget like? I made do with a simple soldering pen for a while but my mother-in-law got me a soldering station with accurate temp control and precise tips. This is MUCH better!
Mine is similar to this one on amazon but there are many at different price points.
My question remains though, if I need to solder it thats fine (and thanks for the tip!) but why isn't it working without solder while I can visibly see the pins touching the rings in the breakout board?
You will not be happy unless you solder that.
Even if you can get it working (maybe by putting sideways pressure on all of the pins?) as soon as you jiggle anything one connection or the other will be broken and then you will get bad results.
Why isn't it working without solder while I can visibly see the pins touching the rings in the breakout board?
Because to make a reliable connection requires some force between the contacts. Gently touching bits of metal do not make good contact. Most metals have a thin, invisible layer of oxidation, and possibly dirt, on them that acts as an insulator, some pressure is needed to over come this.
Those 'connectors' on the board are not connectors they are where a connector should be soldered.
Well, at leas this is a step up from the standard "why is my electrowidget not working" post which fails to mention not actually connecting the components together!
Soldering iron purchased. Presumably some fine (1.2 mm) 60/40 leaded solder as well.
Will need practice - find some dead electronics, practice de-soldering and re-assembling. If you can de-solder (good idea to get a solder sucker too) you already should be able to solder (and you will know what a proper soldered joint looks like!).
PerryBebbington:
Because to make a reliable connection requires some force between the contacts. Gently touching bits of metal do not make good contact. Most metals have a thin, invisible layer of oxidation, and possibly dirt, on them that acts as an insulator, some pressure is needed to over come this.
Those 'connectors' on the board are not connectors they are where a connector should be soldered.
Hey all,
Thanks for the input, especially you Perry. This made things alot more clearer as to where it goes wrong and why.
Ron_Blain:
When soldering just remember it is a developed skill and the bigger the blob the better the job.
Ron
Any convex blob of solder is a sure sign of a poor or dry joint. The correct amount of solder wets all
the parts and is concave. Plenty of tutorials out there.
MarkT:
Any convex blob of solder is a sure sign of a poor or dry joint. The correct amount of solder wets all
the parts and is concave. Plenty of tutorials out there.
You are aware I was joking right? The bigger the blob the better the job. I am well aware of what correctly done solder joints should look like.
