Voltage regulator brush replacement/soldering ?

[Huw Powell]

Dave C wrote:
>
> Could someone tell me what it takes to replace brushes on the voltage
> regulator WRT the soldering?

I have done it a few times, with no trouble, using a 25w 800 degree
iron.

> I've heard others say silver solder is what is holding the brushes on and
> that a high temp is needed for it.  But no one ever gave specifics.

Well, my replacements are all lead/tin and they work.  Also... I may be
wrong here (not again!) but I thought silver solder melted at a lower
temp than typical 60/40 stuff.  Anyway, the reason no one gave specifics
is they were making it up, hehe.

>  What
> temp does this stuff melt at?  And what kind of soldering station would
> supply the needed heat?  I cranked my soldering station up to the max of
> 850 degrees with no effect.

That *should* work.  Are you sure you are working on the soldered part?
i think there is a weld or two on the VR somewhere that might look like
solder.  Also, some look more "rebuildable" than others, to me.  if your
iron is having no trouble melting your solder, it should do the job fine
- but might take a few minutes to heat up the area enough to melt the
solder.  Does the tip seem to scrape the surface and not only make it
shiny but leave a tiny groove in it?

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/