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Topic: OK your thoughts on this (Read 1143 times) previous topic - next topic

OK your thoughts on this

Is soldering better than crimping wire connectors. YES NO!!!
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

OK your thoughts on this

Reply #1 –
This isn't a rhetorical question, now, is it?

Less resistance through a soldered connection, as well as increased strength and longer lasting connections. easy peasy.
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OK your thoughts on this

Reply #2 –
Here's my take. Anything sensor related or reading resistance I solder. Everything else gets crimped with heat shrink over the crimp to seal it. And I use a Snap On crimper with a tang that pierces the plastic on the connector.

OK your thoughts on this

Reply #3 –
Solder increases the chances of damage due to vibration over time. Crimping is the preferredfix in most applications.

I will say this though. I have done hundreds of soldered connections on my model airplanes with maybe only one failure, and they exceed 10's everytime i fly them. When crashing I've seen people pull well over 100g's without failure.

I personally crimp, solder, and heatshrink anything i want to last.
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OK your thoughts on this

Reply #4 –
I solder and heat shrink almost every connection. I will occasionally use the connectors that solder and shrink with the heat gun.

OK your thoughts on this

Reply #5 –
I don't solder 100% of the time but I will say soldering is always better than crimping

The wires should always be enough to take any vibration, if the wire is stiff then you took too long to make the solder joint

I'm into high powered electric rc cars and soldering is an absolute must
Make a crimp joint and it's guaranteed to melt
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OK your thoughts on this

Reply #6 –
If it's easily accessible, solder.  If it's a signal wire such as a network line or sensor, solder.  If it's a power or ground supply, I'll generally crimp, but only up to a point.  Larger than 8ga, I'll almost always solder, with a good example being battery terminals.

OK your thoughts on this

Reply #7 –
Thanks i wanted other opinions. As some people think Crimps are better I do not
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

OK your thoughts on this

Reply #8 –
solder in all cases is best for the mere sake that most people (that's 6 out of 10) do not crimp correctly nor pay close attention to the die they selected to crimp.

the use of liquid or past flux is something that many people don't do because they think flux is in the wire.
the addition of flux on step 1, then solder as step 2 reduces the amount of "heating time" you spend on any connection by more than 50%.
The solder will literally WALK right into the areas where flux has penetrated due to the acid bath its taking from you heated iron.

never solder without adding flux first,, lay your solder iron on the flux covered item and then feed your solder into the surface of being welded, do not feed solder into the iron to force it to melt.  not getting the metal up the temp to accept the solder makes a "DULL" finish looking connection which is a sure sign of a cold solder joint.

a mirror like finish is the result of a proper connection...

last step is to clean the surface,, alcohol is typical but anything that cleans and leaves no residue is ok, come carb cleaners offer this.

I babble a lot!
 

OK your thoughts on this

Reply #9 –
Solder. That being said, there are a few things to consider. Proper "tinning" of the iron or gun tip. Proper flux. And last but not least, the proper solder! I do use crimps occasionally BUT I use "noalux" or another type of anti-corrosive paste designed to prevent oxidation followed by heat shrink. It's what I learned during my years as an Electrical Engineer and having my own electrical contracting business.
Mark

EDIT:  I will use a damp cloth to lightly wipe the area after soldering to give it a shinny finish....just looks better.
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