How to solder electrical connections
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| − | + | ==The procedure== | |
| + | * Strip the wire to fit the terminal sleeve, with about 1/4 inch showing. | ||
| + | * Without twisting the stripped end, tin it until a good silver coat appears. | ||
| + | * Next, get two pieces of shrink tubing -- black for the first insulator, and a selected color for the top to slide over the black, about a 1/4 inch shorter than the bottom; cut and slide them on the wire. | ||
| + | * Next, crimp the terminal. A good mechanical connection is critical before it is soldered. Solder should not be used to support a connection, just to bond it. | ||
| + | * Next, solder the wire to the ring terminal, "wicking" the solder up into the terminal sleeve until it is filled, smooth, and shiny silver. | ||
| + | * Finally, slide the black (longer) tubing up the wire and flush with the end of the terminal sleeve on the ring end, and shrink it. Keep the wire straight until it cools, unless a pre-bent angle is desired. | ||
| + | * When cool, slide the colored tubing (red for example) over the first, and flush with the ring end, and shrink it down. Net result is you have a terminal with a red marker and about a 1/4" trailer behind it. Looks professional, and lasts forever. | ||
| + | * To extend a wire, strip a good length from both wires, slide the shrink tubing over the wire and out of the way, then make a good mechanical connection by placing the stripped ends parallel to each other, wrap one clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Solder until you have a good flow and coverage and silver (not gray) appearance, then slide the shrink tubing over the soldered joint and heat to shrink. | ||
| + | * Even on crimp terminals, solder AND crimp. | ||
| − | + | ===Note:=== | |
| + | It is important to always heat whatever is being soldered (wire, terminal, etc.) to the point that the solder will melt when it contacts the wire or terminal. That assures good contact. Do not just apply the solder to the tip of the gun or soldering iron. This will result in a cold joint. Always melt the solder on the material being soldered. | ||
| − | + | Even if using rosin flux-core solder, adding flux to the joint is recommended. | |
| − | + | ===Important:=== | |
| − | + | Only use rosin flux when doing electrical work. They even make a rosin core solder especially for electrical work. Other flux can lead to corrosion. Acid fluxes are best used on non-electrical work like radiators, etc. | |
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