Solder wire ends? Speaker, Power etc.

[Pennybags]

What does everyone do with the wire ends that go to the amp? Do you tin or solder the ends or do you just throw them in there and tighten the screw down?

Reason I ask is because I just had a power wire fall right out of a connection that I thought was really tight. It seems that all the bumps must have loosened it up and it just came right out. My amp is mounted vertically so the wires come in from the bottom.

Using a JL amp if that helps you understand the connections.

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[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

um. fasten the wire down better so it doesnt vibrate maybe? Soldering the ends on the wire isnt a good idea; it wont conform to the shape of the screw, and so it wont get tight... and in frustration you go balls out on the screw and strip the terminal. Fantastic, now it needs repair.

Just ziptie the wires so that they dont vibrate at the connection... or mount the amp better.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

or if your amp accepts it use terminals

 

[quakerroatmeal 10+ year member]

Are you using the correct size wire? Because if the amp accepts 4gauge and you use a really small power wire such as 8gauge or something a long the lines it will most likely come apart. There should not be any reason why a wire would fall out being tightened correctly at the amplifier.

 

[Pennybags]

Yes, I am using the correct size wire (4 gauge).

How tight should it be? Should it be torqued down until you can't turn it anymore? I am afraid if I get it that tight, strands will be breaking.

 

[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

or if your amp accepts it use terminals

Most dont nowadays. I dont know why though. I like my terminals. Looks cleaner.

 

[Omarvelous 10+ year member]

Sounds like your amp is moving....

What's it mounted on?

Your wire shouldn't be moving as much as to allow it to pull out...

As mentioned, secure amp and ziptie!!

 

[Omarvelous 10+ year member]

Most dont nowadays. I dont know why though. I like my terminals. Looks cleaner.

yea i def wanted to go that route.

Think they will fit on the Orion 2500D? Will b using the Set Screw ones from Knu.

 

[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

I have no idea. I have no experience with either piece of equipment.

 

[Paddywad 10+ year member]

I use fork terminals when I can. My current amp is done with them. Looks neater.

 

[audiobahnuser18 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like your amp needs to be mounted better my buddy had the same problem so we cut a piece of mdf cut to fit the amp and actually wrapped it in the same color as his carpet just so it looked a lil bit cleaner but that helps also.

 

[Pennybags]

The amp isn't moving anywhere. It's attached to a piece of mdf that's attached to a cross member that holds the gas tank in. The JL amp has round ports that the wire directly fits into so I can't use any fork like connectors.

 

[audiobahnuser18 5,000+ posts]

i would use the fork connectors and if possible if you can do it soder them also just for the extra security.