DSL401 PCB Spade terminal repair

[Timbo]

I’m working on an early DSL401. I guess that over the years the connections on the main PCB have been on and off a number of times. As you can see, this has taken its toll and some of them (W21 in this case) have loosened the track from the PCB. I’m considering drilling a hole large enough to take a 22awg wire and soldering that directly to the valve base, then crimping a male spade connector to the other end.
does anyone have a better/ more elegant solution?

[tedmich]

That pad looks still intact, I'd carefully stick it back down with a good 2-part epoxy.
These never had through holes plated, I believe, but the epoxy should hold. Adding stuff seems ill advised, the socket connections are the stressed ones.

[g1]

Is there another trace on the other side of the board?

[Timbo]

No, it’s single sided.

[Timbo]

That pad looks still intact, I'd carefully stick it back down with a good 2-part epoxy.
These never had through holes plated, I believe, but the epoxy should hold. Adding stuff seems ill advised, the socket connections are the stressed ones.

Ok, thanks, that’s worth considering. I suppose a bead of epoxy around the base of the spade terminal on the other side would help to strengthen it as well.

[Mick Bailey]

Bear in mind that regular epoxy available off the high street in the UK breaks down at a relatively low temperature, so when pads are re-soldered after glueing the bond can be weakened. The adhesive used for PCB tracks is specifically high temperature. Regular JB Weld will withstand solder temperatures briefly and is non-conductive. It does leave an obvious repair though as it's dark grey.

[The Dude]

I don't disagree with anything said thus far. Just adding this. If the spade is fully inserted into the board before soldering, tension alone should help keep this from happening. In other words, the spade terminal itself, when soldered into the board, should not allow the trace to be pushed downward if inserted fully. What I see is that the spade wasn't installed correctly from the start and not fully inserted into the board. I would unsolder and remove the spade terminal, add some glue to the trace, and then resolder the spade making sure it is fully inserted into the board. It could also be that one of the terminal legs has broken. I hope that makes sense.

[Timbo]

I don't disagree with anything said thus far. Just adding this. If the spade is fully inserted into the board before soldering, tension alone should help keep this from happening. In other words, the spade terminal itself, when soldered into the board, should not allow the trace to be pushed downward if inserted fully. What I see is that the spade wasn't installed correctly from the start and not fully inserted into the board. I would unsolder and remove the spade terminal, add some glue to the trace, and then resolder the spade making sure it is fully inserted into the board. It could also be that one of the terminal legs has broken. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks - yes, that makes perfect sense.

[g1]

It could also be that one of the terminal legs has broken.

That's what the photo looks like to me.

[The Dude]

That's what the photo looks like to me.

Me too. That is why I mentioned it. Unsoldering it from the pads and reinstalling it will tell the story.