[sdiy] "re-cap" when it's SMT?

[Veronica Merryfield]

On 2013-09-28, at 8:43 PM, Pete Hartman <pete.hartman at gmail.com> wrote:

> What's the best way to judge the footprint?
> 
> The ones I'm seeing on Mouser all appear to have the legs "tucked
> under" but the pads for these appear to be to either side (or at least
> the negative side does, can't see the positive side very well with
> several cables in the way.  It's a 4mm square base, and roughly 5mm
> high off the board.

Cap makers seem to be an entity unto themselves, but, many seem to have things around the same size with minor differences in foot print. If you can find something close and you have changing them by hand, you can probably make it work.

> I have a few SOIC items and I've even soldered ceramic caps (wogglebug
> bypass caps), but I'm really green on this stuff.  How would you
> solder legs tucked under anyway, reflow only?

a SMD rework tip on the soldering iron, heat up the bent ends to the cap nd gentle push the cap over - it will move once the solder melts, then do the other side. TO put back, I heat the bent end and using thin solder wire, apply to the wire just under the cap. 

> While I'm asking noob questions, several of the cable connectors are
> the wire trap type.  I have screwed these up on other gear in the
> past.  I did some looking around tonight to see if I could find a
> tutorial, but mostly what I find are either sites selling wire trap
> connectors or at best have mechanical drawings which really don't
> clarify how to unlock them without destroying them.  Anyone have
> advice or pointers to tutorials?

You need something with a a very fine tip that is stiff. I use a sewing needle. Gentle push it down next to the wire to push the trap teeth against the spring and pull on the wire. Once you have pushed the trap over enough, the wire releases easily. I have a collection of needles.

>