to crimp or to solder

[harshman]

I don’t mean to sound pissy, but don’t you think that this is a very simple thing to do. You are joining two wires together… two copper wires. If you want to solder them or use connecters, they do the same thing. Personally, I have wired over 300 trailers using connecters and never had a return. Just make sure that the tension is never on the connection (zip tie them before or after) and use split or mesh loom and your golden.

[parsonsj]

I just repaired my wife's mini-van fan relay and soldered all the connections (because my previous repair from several years ago failed ... and yes, I used crimped connections)

I was practically frothing at the mouth with how slowly my soldering iron worked.

So ... since I have all the wiring to do on II Much; I need a new/better tool to solder with. Anybody got a recommendation?

thanks,
jp

[dennis68]

John, the butane tools work well as they give you the flexibility to move around (or under the dash) without that damn cord in the way. I use a Blue-point pencil type iron, works well.

[parsonsj]

Hey Denny,

Thanks. Great minds, I guess. I was just on the Snap-on website looking at those.

Followup question: is it a problem melting insulation with the butane torches?

jp

[dennis68]

You may want to try and avoid it but a little charred insulation is OK, you're going to shrink wrap anyways and it will cover the cosmetic ugliness.

Remember the key to a good connection is not to overheat the wire, if you are burning a bunch of insulation it may require a tweak to your technique.

[parsonsj]

Ok, sounds good. I'll do some practice setups with the torch first.

thanks again.
jp

[myclone]

Take an electrical conector with no insulation-crimp the wire to the connector-solder the connection-seal the connection with heat shrink (preferably the good stuff with the goo inside).

If you crimp after solder it is likely the connection will break.

If the connection is not in a controlled enviroment then solder it/heat shrink it. As an industrial electronics tech for the past 19yrs+ I agree with dennis68 110%.

BTW, do NOT use scotch locks on ANYTHING unless you enjoy going completely insane trouble shooting electrical problems. Those things arent even allowed on our property here at the plant and if youre a ele maint guy and get caught with them you get to go home for the day without pay. I support that policy as Ive personally spent hours tracing down production line problems only to find a freakin scotch lock buried in a control panel that some idiot used. Scotch locks cost a friend of mine a toasted engine in his GN due to the previous owner splicing the fuel pump feed wire using a scotch lock which failed and the engine leaned out at WOT/20psi of boost. He couldnt get out of it quick enough and it detonated the bottom end out of it.

[parsonsj]

I'm getting the message. But what the hell is a scotch lock?

jp

[myclone]

I'm getting the message. But what the hell is a scotch lock?

jp

I could prolly google and find a pic but Im feeling lazy... Basically a plastic clam shell fitted with sharp contacts that is clamped over wire(s) that are being spliced. When closed the contacts cut through the insulation into the conductor. Prolly the most unreliable/worthless do dad ever invented other than the electric turbo charger

[myclone]

Heres a PDF link to 3M's site (they make scotch loks) since I had some free time between work orders here at the plant. They are "officially" called insulation displacement connectors and page 2 shows them being used.

http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...oooVIW&JsB7_X-

Stay away from them....far far away or you will resemble at a later date when electrical issues arrise.

[dennis68]

Stay the hell away from scotch locks at all costs. I wouldn't use one if it was just temporary to get home. You are better off just twisting wires and using some electrical tape.

[rb70383]

I just put a new hitch on my truck, and while under there, the previous owner, scotch locked ever wire on the 7-pin harness for the trailer connector in order to run a connector into the bed for a GN trailer. Well I saw that and I cut every wire and resoldered each one. Where the scotch was, each wire was corroded! Oh also had to replace the break away on my trailer, and tore into the junction box, guess what I get to do after the move!