14 guage wire to wire soldering, 30 watts doesn't seem enough

[erikiksaz]

Is it just me, or is 30 watts not enough for this wire to wire soldering? I could hold the iron on the wire for quite a while and the wire still won't melt the solder.

And one more question, before you guys actually solder, what do you do with the wires? I have heard that you open all the threads, and twist them OR you make two hooks, and hook them together then twist. The second pre-soldering twist seems to make too large of an area for solder, though.

 

[TechnoKid]

You may need to "prime" the two wires when they are together by putting a little solder on the tip, then touching it to the joint, or tin the leads then twist them together then solder together. Clean the tip so any remaining solder doesnt burn onto the tip, then re tin if necessary, then solder as usual. 30 watts should be enough to do 14 awg wire. I've done 16 gauge with a 15 watt iron.

 

[erikiksaz]

oooh, okay, so just tin the threads, twist them together, then reheat the tin.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: erikiksaz
oooh, okay, so just tin the threads, twist them together, then reheat the tin.

Maybe, but you may have to put additional solder on; I don't think there will be enough "tin" on the leads of the wire to be able to solder them competely together by reheating the solder.

 

[erikiksaz]

alrighty, will try it now , TY!

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid

Originally posted by: erikiksaz
oooh, okay, so just tin the threads, twist them together, then reheat the tin.

Maybe, but you may have to put additional solder on; I don't think there will be enough "tin" on the leads of the wire to be able to solder them competely together by reheating the solder.

yes, there will be enough tin. this isnt meant to resist much pulling. it should be more than enough to keep them together.

 

[Analog]

16awg and thicker, I usually use a soldering gun.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: erikiksaz
oooh, okay, so just tin the threads, twist them together, then reheat the tin.

i think that will make it worse. ha may not be able to twist them if there tinned. should have used a butt connector

 

[shekondar]

Is your iron clean? Try rubbing it on a wet sponge (while plugged in & heated up) to clean off any oxidation & crud, then apply some solder to the tip of the iron to tin it.