STC-1000 Broken Terminal

[grifulkin]

So I bought the STC-1000 and a Project Box from Radioshack. I was putting it together this weekend and I guess I strained the terminals too much and two broke off of the board. I was using 12 gauge wire I don't what happened I guess I wasn't as nice as I should have been but I didn't think I was going to break them. I figured since they are completely broken off I would just solder the wires directly to the board. Has anyone else done this? It seems like my only option at this point. Does anyone else have a better suggestion?

Thank you in advance.

Will post a picture.

 

[schrod]

Did the board break, or did the screw terminals pull out of the solder? The solder/process they use isn't very good. When I built mine I had the terminals pull out of the board. I was able to re-solder them without a problem. There is no reason I can think of that soldering directly to the board wouldn't work assuming that there is enough of the pad/trace left.

 

[grifulkin]

Did the board break, or did the screw terminals pull out of the solder? The solder/process they use isn't very good. When I built mine I had the terminals pull out of the board. I was able to re-solder them without a problem. There is no reason I can think of that soldering directly to the board wouldn't work assuming that there is enough of the pad/trace left.

That is exactly what happened they just popped off. Do you think it would be easier to solder the terminals back on or to attach the wires directly to the board? It kind of sucked that my few hour project has turned into such a fiasco.

 

[schrod]

It'll probably be marginally easier to reattach the terminals. It would take more heat to heat the wire than just the terminal. If you don't heat it right you'll be right back where you started with a weak joint.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

It'll probably be marginally easier to reattach the terminals. It would take more heat to heat the wire than just the terminal. If you don't heat it right you'll be right back where you started with a weak joint.

And direct wiring it i'd think you'd be a bit more susceptible to pulling the solder pad off if your rough with it. If that happens your SOL.

 

[worthogg]

When I did mine I used 12 ga wire as well and it almost happened to me. Cramming all those stiff wires into the box along with an outlet was a bee-otch. I feel like I would have been better off finding an old extension cord and hacking it up for the sake of beer.

 

[grifulkin]

When I did mine I used 12 ga wire as well and it almost happened to me. Cramming all those stiff wires into the box along with an outlet was a bee-otch. I feel like I would have been better off finding an old extension cord and hacking it up for the sake of beer.

I am switching to 14 gauge hopefully I will put less strain on the controller. I'm just waiting on the solder at this point, my father in law has some he is letting me use. So hopefully this weekend I will finish it. I feel the same about the extension cord though I know it would have been easier.

 

[grifulkin]

Thank you everyone. I was new to soldering so my father in law helped me out. It came out perfect. Works exactly as intended. I'm so excited my keezer goes in this weekend.

 

[IslandLizard]

Use stranded wire. 14Ga should be fine for 10A, distances are very short.

 

[lcat45]

Yeah I had the same thing happen to me but IO was able to just solder it back in place and it was ok....the problem I've had with mine is I've tried several different wiring examples posted throughout the forums here and none seem to work in that my relays never turn on even though I can hear them click....anyone have or had that issue....beginning to think it's just bad...thanks

 

[reynolds5520]

If you can hear the click, there is likely a problem in your wiring. Can you post a picture of what you've done?

Do you have any kind of test equipment, test light, volt meter?

 

[lcat45]

Thanks reynolds5520....u were absolutely right.....hadn't looked at it lately so picked it up again and was right in my face as to what was wrong.....thanks although a bit embarrassing