50 watt soldering station: enough for soldering 12AWG wire?

[80251]

I'm going to be soldering leads to a PSU so I was planning on using 12AWG wire. I just hope my 50 watt soldering station is enough, but if it's not I'm willing to buy a higher rated iron.

 

[kanewolf]

I'm going to be soldering leads to a PSU so I was planning on using 12AWG wire. I just hope my 50 watt soldering station is enough, but if it's not I'm willing to buy a higher rated iron.

It depends, soldering it to WHAT? A heatsink? Maybe not. Two wires together? Sure.

 

[80251]

Some automotive types suggested for low gauge wire a 60 watt and up iron. I'm guessing soldering stations aren't really geared to automotive applications either.

 

[kanewolf]

Some automotive types suggested for low gauge wire a 60 watt and up iron. I'm guessing soldering stations aren't really geared to automotive applications either.

It just depends on what you are trying to connect. A ground wire to a chassis? Not enough wattage. A terminal connector on a wire? probably OK.
Since you haven't described what you are soldering other than 12AWG wire, I can't be more definite.

 

[80251]

@kanewolf I'm going to use an C14-C13 extension cable to connect an SFX PSU located near the front of a computer case to a C14 female connector at the back of the case. I want to use 12AWG wire to do it.

 

[kanewolf]

@kanewolf I'm going to use an C14-C13 extension cable to connect an SFX PSU located near the front of a computer case to a C14 female connector at the back of the case. I want to use 12AWG wire to do it.

12AWG is too big. 14 or 16AWG is a better choice. I would take an existing power cord (probably 16AWG) and cut the normal mains plug end to length. Solder that to your case plug.

 

[80251]

@kanewolf
The extension is going to be 400mm in length that's why I wanted a lower gauge wire. I already have the 12AWG wire. I don't even get 120VAC at the outlets in the room I rent so I wanted to minimize any further voltage drops from the wall.

 

[kanewolf]

@kanewolf
The extension is going to be 400mm in length that's why I wanted a lower gauge wire. I already have the 12AWG wire. I don't even get 120VAC at the outlets in the room I rent so I wanted to minimize any further voltage drops from the wall.

16AWG or 12AWG, for 400mm there will be no difference.