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Wiring question...

I

Insane3D

Elite Member
I'm in the middle of my rewiring project, and I've found my cheesy 30W pencil soldering iron is not adequate enough to handle 4Ga wire. The wire sucks the heat away and it's hard to keep it hot enough to melt the solder, nevermind heat up the wire.

Just checked Radio Shack, and they have a 100W lighted gun type for $14. Should that be enough for 4Ga wire?

I think the fine stranding is making it especially good at transferring the heat away quickly...
 
Thanks...

Also, I have done one crimp on terminal with the 30W iron, and while it didn't flow into the stands as much as it should, I was able to completly cover the joint between the terminal end and the wire. I heatshrank it afterwards. It's not optimal, but it should be fine..

Hold, let me take a pic..
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Thanks...

Also, I have done one crimp on terminal with the 30W iron, and while it didn't flow into the stands as much as it should, I was able to completly cover the joint between the terminal end and the wire. I heatshrank it afterwards. It's not optimal, but it should be fine..

Hold, let me take a pic..
Click to expand...

Thats called a "Cold" solder joint.
Not good

The crimp will carry the load

Use flux on those big wires to get the solder to flow....
 
Neat, but I wonder how well that will handle a thick gauge wire. It mentions how hot it gets, but not what wattage it puts out...I don't know how much it could since it runs on 4 AA batteries.

Definately handle for smaller, normal jobs though.


Also, this line made me laugh when I read it quick...

Over 700 joints per battery pack
Click to expand...

Wow...is it a soldering tool or a battery operated rolling machine? 😀😛
 
I understand the concept of the cold solder joint, but while it may not have been optimal, it is on there good...I wrenched it pretty hard with my hands and it was solid.

The wire won't be pulled on or tightly run so it should be fine...

It will be snugly bolted to the back of my alternator, and the wire will have enough free play to compensate for engine movement.
 
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