Day 1 - Soldering and Power Source

• Using a random circuit board, and random resistors and spare parts, we were given the opportunity to practice soldering.

1.  The first step was to gather random items/parts and a circuit board with plenty of room to solder the parts onto the board. 
2. Next, we had to heat up the soldering device to 600 degrees Fahrenheit and then place the circuit board, item that we wanted attached to the circuit board, soldering pen tip, and solder all at the same spot until the solder melted and bonded the circuit board and the item. The green part of the board where the copper was visible was the side where the solder was melted down to connect the components. In addition, using the pliers shown in this picture, the ends left on the green side were trimmed to ensure that there would be adequate space.

• In the other part of this lab we were given a power source and had to solder wiring to it for later use.

1. Using a phone charger, we cut the end that would normally plug into the phone with pliers.Next using a multimeter we tested which wire supplied the positive charge and which one was ground or negative.
2. After securely soldering the cables with red as positive and black as ground we used heat shrink tubing to secure the wiring in place and prevent it from tearing apart. The heat shrink tubing was placed around the areas where wiring was attached and then it melted the tubing to the wiring. The heat gun for this part of the lab was extremely hot and the wire along with the tubing was only placed over the heat for a few seconds.
3. Here is the end result.