Hello all,
Our kitchen range hood failed to turn on one day, and the manufacturer stopped producing parts for it. So, I decided to try to repair it myself. While looking around, I saw one bulging capacitor, which I then went on the replace. I have no experience with anything electronics related, especially zero soldering experience, and had to learn everything from YouTube and online articles in a week. I ordered parts from DigiKey and successfully replaced the bulging capacitor. The failed capacitor didn't even have 1 capacitance.
The problem is, I used a lead-based solder, and all the other soldered areas in the circuit board seems to be dull and not shiny like the repair I did, which I then figured was from them being old. The circuit board is at least 16 years old.
I would replace lead solder if it wasn’t such a hassle, literally. The circuit board cannot even be uninstalled from the exhaust fan, and it was very tricky even removing the old capacitor and replacing it from the circuit board with the board being in a vertical position. Now, removing all the solder will be even more difficult, and I am afraid I will mess it up and turn this circuit board nonfunctional, needing a very, very expensive replacement of a kitchen range hood.
My question is, is there a danger in using lead-based solder for such application when constant air is pumped through the exhaust fan, some of which might leak out into the kitchen? From my reading, the lead paint was banned because it would chip and turn into dust, etc. which one would then inhale/ingest. I don’t think that will happen in this scenario. What do you guys think?
Thank you.
Our kitchen range hood failed to turn on one day, and the manufacturer stopped producing parts for it. So, I decided to try to repair it myself. While looking around, I saw one bulging capacitor, which I then went on the replace. I have no experience with anything electronics related, especially zero soldering experience, and had to learn everything from YouTube and online articles in a week. I ordered parts from DigiKey and successfully replaced the bulging capacitor. The failed capacitor didn't even have 1 capacitance.
The problem is, I used a lead-based solder, and all the other soldered areas in the circuit board seems to be dull and not shiny like the repair I did, which I then figured was from them being old. The circuit board is at least 16 years old.
I would replace lead solder if it wasn’t such a hassle, literally. The circuit board cannot even be uninstalled from the exhaust fan, and it was very tricky even removing the old capacitor and replacing it from the circuit board with the board being in a vertical position. Now, removing all the solder will be even more difficult, and I am afraid I will mess it up and turn this circuit board nonfunctional, needing a very, very expensive replacement of a kitchen range hood.
My question is, is there a danger in using lead-based solder for such application when constant air is pumped through the exhaust fan, some of which might leak out into the kitchen? From my reading, the lead paint was banned because it would chip and turn into dust, etc. which one would then inhale/ingest. I don’t think that will happen in this scenario. What do you guys think?
Thank you.