[CobraDan]

Keith,
Soldering I can help you with, did a lot in the Elevator trade. Make sure you make all connections with the wires twisted together so they would conduct even if you didn't apply solder. Use a 60/40 rosin core solder and tin your soldering iron with the solder before you start. When the soldering iron gets dirty looking, while its hot wipe off that dirt with a cotton rag and re-tin if needed. If you keep it hot with the iron the solder will flow to that heat. Make sure it's hot and flows or you will get a cold solder joint that looks good until you pull on it and you see that the wires are not soldered. Hope this helps some.
Dan