How I Solder the RP2040 (Terrible Audio)

This is how I solder Rp2040s to PCBs. It's not perfect but I manage to get working Rp2040s on boards more often than not. The audio is terrible as I used the audio on my microscope, and it ain't good.

[@urmok6iv]

When you order the pcb-s just order a stencil as well - it costs just a couple of bucks and makes life a lot easier.

[@menadue]

Yes, the stencil is quite cheap, but the shipping isn't for me. For a short run of PCBs it's not worth it. I can cut stencils myself and use those for some of the PCbs I make in quantity, they are fine, except they put too much solder paste down for the RP2040 footprint.

[@tootzreyes]

Managed to complete this and do a test blink?

[@menadue]

This was a test PCB so I didn't build it up. I have used this process a few times and it's worked well for me.

[@arnolduk123]

You have a very fine piece of wire stuck to one of the pads at labeled C7 as 3:45 ?? Not sure why you dont use hot air station ?

[@menadue]

Yes, it does appear so, I'm not sure what that is. I did use a hot air station when heating one of the RP2040s and a reflow oven for the other. The problem isn't so much the heating phase as the amount of solder that gets applied to the pads. With a stencil and solder paste too much solder was applied, I think, resulting in shorted pads on the IC. A hot air gun takes a lot of time toi heat the PCb and RP2040 and doesn't seem to be as well controlled for temperature as an oven. My preference is to apply the solder like this and oven the PCB. I have used this method to apply other ICs where I have had shorted pins in the past and it worked for them as well.

[@arnolduk123]

@@menadue Sure, what works for you is good. Maybe try a low temp solder, I use a 180 degree melting solder with a flux core, flows great with at around 200C hot air. Never tried anyting as complicated as a RP2040 chip though.

[@menadue]

That's interesting, got a link to the low temp solder? The RP2040 package is a pain.@@arnolduk123

[@arnolduk123]

@@menadue It's called chip quik or chipquik solder and a little expensive in large rolls. you can find in most online selling platforms