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[Viral_Jim]

Bit of an amateurish question - so bear with me.

I have a few jobs on the Swede that require me to join wires to the harness or add additional circuits in off the fuse board.

For the joints/connections I'm tempted to solder the wires and heat shrink the joints. This "feels" a better way than those crimp connections (which I also have plenty of). But I'm conscious that soldering creates a stiff section in the wire that could stress and break over time  .

What are your thoughts? Is there an alternative method I haven't considered?

[STEMO]

Solder and shrink wrap is the best imo. Can't come apart and are well insulated.

[STEMO]

But, then again, I haven't done any of this stuff for yonks, and no doubt they'll have invented something better 

[Lincs Robert]

Solder and shrink wrap is the best imo. Can't come apart and are well insulated.

+1

I HATE Scotchlok connectors as they actually damage the cable.

This is what the industry do when they make the looms with built in splices - but they take it one stage further by having resin inside the heat shrink to provide mechanical support to the soldered joint. Also, beware when repairing a broken wire as the repair will consume cable length! The way round that is to make a double splice to restore the original length - if you see my logic?

[Andy B]

Solder and shrink wrap is the best imo. Can't come apart and are well insulated.

+1

I HATE Scotchlok connectors as they actually damage the cable.

This is what the industry do when they make the looms with built in splices - but they take it one stage further by having resin inside the heat shrink to provide mechanical support to the soldered joint. Also, beware when repairing a broken wire as the repair will consume cable length! The way round that is to make a double splice to restore the original length - if you see my logic?

so how do you do the solder? Lie each tinned wire side by side & apply heat or twist together & solder it all ...... 

[biggriffin]

Easier to watch then explain, sorry it's. American

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu3TYBs65FM

[Viral_Jim]

Cheers . Despite being a yank he seems to know his stuff!

First attempt:



I suspect my soldering iron wasn't quite man to the task - 30 watts of pure power when it was new (13yrs ago). But you know what they say about bad workmen!

[omega2018]

yes i connect wires like that but a 12v electrician i know always just crimps wires with a decent crimper.  i think just because it is much quicker.  when i've tried crimping i can often pull the joint apart, soldering is much stronger and longer lasting

[Webby the Bear]

I used to love soldering til I found crimp bullet connectors. Crimp. Crimp. Melt each end to set the built in glue. Done. 👍

[Viral_Jim]

I used to love soldering til I found crimp bullet connectors. Crimp. Crimp. Melt each end to set the built in glue. Done. 👍

Interesting web by! Never come across Ines with glue in (unless I've bought them without knowing). The crimp ones I have are the basic ones- spade connector with a metal tube on plus a coloured plastic sleeve over.

Do you happen to have a link?

[cam.in.head]

If youve ever owned a series land rover you wouldnt use a bullet connector again !. The looms were made of seperate sections all around the vehicle and then plugged together. All fine and dandy when new but they dont like vibration or moisture and cause all sorts of issues eventually. Twist ,fluxed electrical solder and shrink sleeve best way to go in my opinion .

[Nick W]

I used to love soldering til I found crimp bullet connectors. Crimp. Crimp. Melt each end to set the built in glue. Done. 👍

now try that with a bundle of wires, or where you have to pull them through a hole. A well-done(something many people struggle with) soldered joint is still useful.

[Viral_Jim]

A well-done(something many people struggle with) soldered joint is still useful.

My problem last night was I couldn't get enough heat in the tier to melt the solder onto them. I harts melt it onto the point where the iron and wire touched and then try to flow it on from there. Not sure if the iron lacked oomph or my technique was poor (or both).

[cam.in.head]

Providing you are not soldering in the wind /draught and you are not accidently using a high melting point solder then the solder should melt easily on the tip of the iron and flow into the joint easily as well. If it doesnt then you must have a lower powered iron than will heat the joint.make sure the tip is secure in the end /especially critical with the wire loop type gun irons. And that the tip is clean.

[Webby the Bear]

I used to love soldering til I found crimp bullet connectors. Crimp. Crimp. Melt each end to set the built in glue. Done. 👍

Interesting web by! Never come across Ines with glue in (unless I've bought them without knowing). The crimp ones I have are the basic ones- spade connector with a metal tube on plus a coloured plastic sleeve over.

Do you happen to have a link?

Here u go mate.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/292120332262?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=33676502101&rlsatarget=pla-271883337275&abcId=893836&adtype=pla&merchantid=9754774&poi=&googleloc=9046195&device=m&campaignid=707291931&crdt=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fi%25252F292120332262%25253Fchn%25253Dps%252526dispItem%25253D1%2526itemid%253D292120332262%2526targetid%253D271883337275%2526device%253Dm%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9046195%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D707291931%2526adgroupid%253D33676502101%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-271883337275%2526abcId%253D893836%2526merchantid%253D9754774%2526gclid%253DCOG_i7HdttQCFQcQ0woda6wGMg%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1229809370294

They r called heat shrink and the heat shrink definitely has a sticky substance in it. Again I'd guess it was glue. 👍