Wiring Question

[drdetroit3]

I am currently installing a fuse panel and some rewiring, what is the best way to connect 2 wires,? I was going to solder the two end together and install heat shrink over the wires? Also when attaching the eyelets crimp connectors and heatshrink?

 

[wire2]

Re: Wiring Question

Solder has considerably more resistance to electric current than copper. (Put an ohmmeter on the ends of a foot or 2 of wire solder).
The best connection is to twist the copper wires together first, then make it permanent with solder and shrink.
Crimp terminals are good too, IF you use a proper tool, (not regular pliers)
Most terminals are made of copper, with a thin silver plating to prevent oxidization. In a moist environment, I like to strip the wire, poke it into dielectric grease, then crimp a connector on.
Or, do as the manufacturers, get a bottle of black rubber paint and brush a film on all exposed terminals/studs/nuts.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Question

Crimp and use waterproof adhesive lined butt splices. Nothing else needs to be done.

The statement about the solder not conducting well is hog wash. What do you think terminals are tinned with?

 

[DianneB]

Re: Wiring Question

Wiring is my speciality and I am a fanatic about quality. Everything gets crimped, soldered, and heat-shrunk.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Question

Wiring is my speciality and I am a fanatic about quality. Everything gets crimped, soldered, and heat-shrunk.

A good crimped connection doesn't need solder and it is preferred NOT to use solder. All of this is IF you have the correct crimp tool.

Automotive - no solder
Aerospace - no solder
Military - no solder
Medical - no solder

1st Choice - crimp with a good crimper
2nd choice - crimp with a cheap crimp tool with solder
3rd choice - crimp with a cheap crimp tool

 

[wire2]

Re: Wiring Question

........
The statement about the solder not conducting well is hog wash. What do you think terminals are tinned with?

I expect with tin? Hence the term?
On a conductivity scale, tin and lead are way down from the leaders, starting with silver, copper, aluminum, etc
The point I was trying to make is that twisting wires together or wrapping a wire around a terminal, then soldering, makes a better connection than just holding the wires together and soldering. If the connection sees high current, it can make a difference.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Question

The point I was trying to make is that twisting wires together or wrapping a wire around a terminal, then soldering, makes a better connection than just holding the wires together and soldering. If the connection sees high current, it can make a difference.

First of all, you never just lay two wires together and solder them but that is for mechanical reasons not electrical conductive reasons. Second, the amount of resistance that you will see between a straight wire and two that are soldered together is negligible. We are talking micro ohms here.

 

[wire2]

Re: Wiring Question

First of all, you never just lay two wires together and solder them but that is for mechanical reasons not electrical conductive reasons. Second, the amount of resistance that you will see between a straight wire and two that are soldered together is negligible. We are talking micro ohms here.

Oh, never? I've seen it done. I've also seen 2 wires tied together in a knot and taped. And stranded wires around a small nut & bolt. Some people feel they're doing a better job by wrapping plastic tape on to a Marrette wire nut.

I've been a licensed electrician since '72, have repaired many "good intentions".

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Question

Oh, never? I've seen it done. I've also seen 2 wires tied together in a knot and taped. And stranded wires around a small nut & bolt. Some people feel they're doing a better job by wrapping plastic tape on to a Marrette wire nut.

I've been a licensed electrician since '72, have repaired many "good intentions".

I can believe it.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Wiring Question

Literally millions of boats, from the smallest of skiffs with just rudimentary circuits, to 70' Sportfishers, have been wired using crimped on connectors. Hell, when I was at Stamas Yacht, we didn't even use shrink sleeving, lined or unlined, except for bilge pump connections! Crimping works, but it is up to the electrician to pay attention to what he/she is doing, and to use the proper tools, materials, and practices. No, at Stamas, they didn't use the proper materials...but Greeks have been known to be cheap...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Question

I have some friends that build electric cars. Using solder on any lugs is an extreme no no.

To see what I am talking about take two crimps, one that has solder added to it and one that is just crimped and put them both in a vise so that you can grab the wire ends. Now take the wires and move them up and down. The ones that got the solder will eventually break right off due to the solder wicking down the wire. The same thing will happen on a boat with vibration over time.

Butt splices are a little more forgiving to being soldered since they aren't being held in place like a lug is.