crimping vs. soldering

[dontbeaprix 10+ year member]

I solder then use the weaterproof heatshrink with the adhesive inside.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

I just use a bench vice to crimp the lugs then use a punch and hammer a couple teeth on both sides so it wont slip loose...

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

 

[phrostbyte0311 10+ year member]

what kind of solder should you use?

I like 60/40 rosin core or a nice silver specialty solder

 

[akheathen Premium Member]

good 'ole 60/40 sn/pb. silver has verry high conductivity, but the lead lets it melt at a low enough point that you don't end up burning off the wire before it will take. imho, the biggest key is to start off with a tinned wire, then crimp, and re-solder. tried and true method that can even withstand a poor terminal connection generating heat. i've re-repaired the solder-then-stick cold/dry connections, and bare crimps more times than i can remember, though, a real high pressure crimp can fair well, as the entire cable is forced to make full connection

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

Crimp it real good then torch some 60/40 Rosin Core. never had one come off.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Soldered joints provide less resistance than a mechanical connection like crimping, due to the increased surface contact.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Soldered joints provide less resistance than a mechanical connection like crimping, due to the increased surface contact.

Only if the solder is of superior conductance...

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I just use a bench vice to crimp the lugs then use a punch and hammer a couple teeth on both sides so it wont slip loose...

Bro, I know your method is tried and true but you can buy a "swedge-on" from the welding supply website for like $8 and it seriously makes crimping 1/0 a breeze. I used to use the vice method too but the swedge-on lets me make crimps, literally in under 10 seconds. The only other tool you need is a sledge hammer...

Plus, as a side note, it can also be used to crimp ferrules for making your own security cables which they sell by the foot at most hardware stores for super cheap...just sayin //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[subzero 5,000+ posts]

I went to the local harbor frieght store and bought some cheap bolt cutters. went home and grinded them into crimpers. I crimped all the 1/0 welding cable

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Only if the solder is of superior conductance...

You know that spade terminals aren't made out of silver, right? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif It would have to be some really shitty solder to not get a better connection than simply crimping.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

You know that spade terminals aren't made out of silver, right? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif It would have to be some really shitty solder to not get a better connection than simply crimping.

Well I was thinking more of the copper 1/0 lugs. I could see some crap solder proving to be more resistive then just a pure crimped 1/0 connection.

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

i dont like crushing the wire like that...ive seen some crazy things that nicked and crushed wire was accountable for. granted, this is with waaay smaller aircraft grade wiring.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Well I was thinking more of the copper 1/0 lugs. I could see some crap solder proving to be more resistive then just a pure crimped 1/0 connection.

Not likely. Again a soldered joint will have MUCH more contact area than a crimped one. Its almost always better to solder than to just crimp. But I feel we are arguing semantics at this point.

 

[subzero 5,000+ posts]

Not likely. Again a soldered joint will have MUCH more contact area than a crimped one. Its almost always better to solder than to just crimp. But I feel we are arguing semantics at this point.

that may be so, BUT, the solder can't support the weight of heavy wire pulling down on it especially in the ht engine bay, metal expands and contracts, causing looseness. it will work its way loose. maybe a light solder and then crimp.