#3 MMM not dead YET, but something VERY wrong!

Yes guys, double, triple, even quadruple check your soldering connections. It is very difficult to get those 8 AWG wires from the MMM to solder to connectors. I have a 40W iron and it takes me about 90 seconds of heat to get the solder to flow appropriately. If you do not get both pieces of metal hot enough to melt the solder you will end up with what is called a 'cold solder'. Sometimes you can tell by the fact that the joint will look hazy rather then nice and shiny. A cold solder can lead to high resistance and cause lots of problems including extra heat. I still have a v1 first batch running strong, but I have soldered many, many times.

I am sure many know this, but you heat the metal, then apply the solder to the metal, NOT the iron.

[JaySki]

Originally Posted by Larks

Yes guys, double, triple, even quadruple check your soldering connections. It is very difficult to get those 8 AWG wires from the MMM to solder to connectors. I have a 40W iron and it takes me about 90 seconds of heat to get the solder to flow appropriately. If you do not get both pieces of metal hot enough to melt the solder you will end up with what is called a 'cold solder'. Sometimes you can tell by the fact that the joint will look hazy rather then nice and shiny. A cold solder can lead to high resistance and cause lots of problems including extra heat. I still have a v1 first batch running strong, but I have soldered many, many times.

I am sure many know this, but you heat the metal, then apply the solder to the metal, NOT the iron.

Yea.. I hear what you are saying.. I have been soldering crap longer than I was ever in school and in the service.
I'll reflow everything tomorrow.

[sleebus.jones]

Originally Posted by Larks

I have a 40W iron...

Well there's your problem! </mythbusters>

I use an 80w iron with a big honkin' chisel tip. That shows those connectors who's boss in just a few seconds.