Hi all.....When replacing caps or transistors on a circuit board, and the solder joint is gone......besides hard wiring from point to point...Is there a way to repair the joint? thanks AL

the solder trace is gone or the pad is gone ? a piece of wire could replace a trace. solder adheres to existing trace if clean. the tiny pad can be replaced by solder. you can do a lot with just the solder

What do you mean - gone? Do you mean the glue has separated the copper track from the board and the 'eyelet' has then broken off?

I would poke the lead of the new component through the hole then bend it to where you can solder it on to the remaining track. If it's quite a distance then cover the lead with a bit of sleeve and maybe a drop of glue to give some mechanical support to the component on the other side. Professional boards often have a dab of white silicon sealant (non-acidic) under larger components to prevent movement.

The usual cause of the track separating is overheating - especially if using solderwick to remove the excess solder - or pushing down on the component while it is still soldered on the other side.

Yes the eyelet is gone. Your right, it was caused by pulling the component through the hole...after using solder wick...I traced board, and hardwired that connection of a switching transformer to its connections...thanks AL

There is paint-on liquid containing metal powder to make it conductive.

Silver is the best, but pricey. I think General Cement used to sell this stuff.



http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/8420p.html


Rich

If you want to replace a damaged trace, you can use some #22 gage solid copper wire(depending on the size of the trace of course), flatten it out and overlay the trace. solder it over and drill a hole where the pad was then insert a wire or component lead and solder. Then lay a bead of epoxy over the repair.

eyelets do come off sometimes for me as well. I make sure that the solder extends past the the component lead onto the trace dragging the solder with the iron. works for me

Thanks to all...very helpful! AL