Couple wiring questions...nothing complex

[Sguirrelfeather]

I've already got some wiring done, but I'm going to go ahead and run a dedicated ground to the battery now rather than just to chassis. While I'm in there, I plan on making some other changes, to include a busblock rather than just running them off of the battery terminal directly, and making things a little neater in the engine compartment. Anyway, when the wires are secured into "set screw" type terminals, say the back of the amp, the wires get compressed, break a little, etc. So pretty much when you pull em out you usually wind up needing to redress the wire. Is there a way to alleviate this? Would tinning the end of the cable be ok even if it's just going into the back of the amp?

Second question, for tinning a large cable, like 2/0, or even for soldering on a lug, would a propane torch be sufficient or is there something more appropriate? I know most say crimping the lugs works fine, but my technique must really **** because mine always tend to come loose.

Thanks in advance!

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[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

the challenge with tinning the wire is it becomes harder and then doesn't compress to fill the terminal. you want surface area, as much as possible. this is why un-tinned wire is preferred. that said, you may notice that when you remove the wire it is formed into a half-circle with a dent in the middle. That would be the time to tin the wire - before tightening the set screw too much. then you would protect the wire for the future.

properly crimped lugs are the way to go, but you look for electrician grade tools, not car audio tools.

i have a small table-top weller torch that is handy for soldering large wire - or, a soldering pot would be MUCH easier when doing multiple wires.

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

dont waste your time tinning the wire, get a hydraulic crimper or a hammer crimper and you'll be good to go. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E1UUVT0/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B006VU5WX8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=00HS1BGRXD94W7GVQYKY thats the cheap method

relating to tined wire, one of the strongest crimps i ever made was with a hydraulic crimper on pretinned ofc boat cable, i bet i could put 200 pounds on that terminal and it wouldnt pull off lol