Neat & Organised Electric Wiring

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Sparks333

2) SOLDER WHENEVER POSSIBLE!!!! I really don't care if you have crimp fetishes or only have crimps or if you have already crimped a wire. Crimps fail much more often than solder jobs. (Last year for our main connector to the battery, we used crimps tightened down in a vice, then we heated it with a blowtorch and put lots of solder on it. Worked like a charm, and looked cool too.)

I agree that soldering is a solution to prevent failed connections. I do want to say that there is a way to add too much solder when making connections. Stranded wire will wick solder (just like water soaks into a paper towel) and that extra will end up far from the joint. For most applications this is not a problem, but this wire now becomes very stiff, almost like solid wire. A solid wire on a moving object has a greater tendency to fracture after repeated movement. When soldering connectors (to the 1/4" push on crimp type, for example) heat the connector until solder flows when applied to both the wire and the connector. Add just enough solder for it to be just visible flowing under the wire insulation. After the joint cools, the wire should still be flexible almost to the end of the wire. This is especially important for connections to the controllers, battery and FP motors. A stiff wire will transmit movement into the terminals and cause internal damage over time.
Don't forget adequate insulation over the soldered joint, heatshrink works better than tape and more fun to use.