Openai/693bbfbe-99d8-800d-9dba-13c2ec719b3a
This conversation was exported from ChatGPT[1]
gpt-5-1 edit
User: MOSFET desoldering heat blower edit
MOSFET desoldering heat blower
Assistant: Here’s a clear, practical guide for desoldering a MOSFET using a heat blower hot-air rework station — useful for PCBs, … edit
Here’s a clear, practical guide for desoldering a MOSFET using a heat blower (hot-air rework station) — useful for PCBs, motherboards, power boards, etc.
✅ Tools You Need edit
- Hot-air rework station (heat blower)
- Flux (very important — reduces melting temp & protects pads)
- Tweezers or small pliers
- Aluminum tape or heat-resistant tape (optional)
- Soldering iron (optional but useful)
- Kapton tape (optional, protects nearby components)
🔥 Heat Blower Settings edit
Typical starting point:
For standard MOSFETs on normal PCBs edit
- Temperature: 320–380 °C
- Airflow: Medium
- Distance: 1–2 cm from component
For motherboards / heavy copper power boards edit
- Temperature: 380–420 °C
- Preheat bottom of board if possible
- These boards have thick copper layers that soak heat.
🛠️ Steps to Desolder a MOSFET (Correct Way) edit
1. Protect Nearby Components edit
Use Kapton tape or aluminium tape to cover parts you don’t want to heat.
2. Apply Flux Around the MOSFET edit
Flux is essential. It lowers the melt point of the solder and reduces pad damage.
3. Preheat the Area edit
Hold the heat blower 5–8 cm away for 5–10 seconds to prewarm the PCB.
This reduces thermal shock.
4. Focus Heat on the MOSFET edit
Move the nozzle in circular motion around the MOSFET. Stay 1–2 cm above the component.
Time needed:
- Small MOSFETs: 10–20 sec
- Large MOSFETs or power boards: 20–50 sec
5. Lift the MOSFET Gently edit
Use tweezers to lightly lift one corner.
- If it doesn’t lift easily, DO NOT force it.
- Continue heating 5–10 seconds and try again.
Forcing causes pad lifting, which is the biggest mistake.
6. Clean Up Pads edit
After removal:
- Add a bit of fresh solder
- Heat with iron
- Wick away solder using copper wick
- Add flux and clean with IPA
Pads should look shiny and flat.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid edit
| Mistake | Why it's bad | | --------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | Overheating >20–30 seconds continuously | Can burn pads or delaminate PCB | | Pulling MOSFET before solder melts | Pads will tear off | | Airflow too strong | Blows off nearby SMD components | | No flux | Harder to melt; high risk of damage | | Heating only one side | Uneven expansion causes stress |
🧰 Bonus Tips edit
✔ For through-hole MOSFETs edit
Use a combination of:
- Hot-air from bottom
- Soldering iron on each leg
- Solder sucker/wick
✔ For MOSFETs with large thermal pads (PowerMOS, DPAK, QFN) edit
You need higher heat + more time because the heat pad absorbs energy.
If you want, I can also provide: edit
- Step-by-step re-installation guide
- Recommended hot-air stations
- Troubleshooting (pads lifted, board burnt, MOSFET stuck)
- Exact temperature for your MOSFET model (if you tell me the PCB type)
Would you like that?
References edit
- ↑ "MOSFET desoldering guide". ChatGPT. Retrieved 2025-12-13.