Installing selector switch Lincoln AC-225

[sammy63129]

Are wires soldered as well as crimped to the selector assembly? If so, what is best method to solder? Butane torch? Soldering gun? What type of solder?

[John T]

????

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[ccawgc]

Short answer is yes. to remove the old switch you need to cut the center tab then unsolder the wire. make sure you label all the wires. place new switch in place. lay a wire on the switch terminal under the tab. use vise grips to carefully crimp center tab around the wire. then with a large soldering iron solder wire in place with standard electrical solder. Rosin core not acid core. Can use lead based solder or the new non-lead solder. Try not to move the wires around a lot. you don't want them breaking from the transformer. Do not cut the wires or they will be too short.
A butane powered soldering iron will work. Large 150 watt electric soldering iron.
open flame torch might work but you will have to be very careful what the flame hits and what is behind it.

[sammy63129]

Thank you. I hadn't thought about the wires coming loose from the transformer. I will be carefull. You told me everything I needed to know. Again, thanks for your time. Great response.

[ccawgc]

Transformer has aluminum wires. The aluminum wires are then plated so copper wires can be attached then solder to the switch.
Only the real old ones that don't have a cooling fan, have all copper transformers.
don't think I have seen any transformer failures in these units. only a few connection and switch problems.