DIY: wire splicing 101

User avatar
stolle
Posts: 2241
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:47 pm

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by stolle »

im going to try to explain how to solder two pieces of wire together, making a strong reliable joint that will not fail. this is my way, its not the only way, in my experience this is what works for me.

Tools/Supplies:
1. soldering iron and solder (rosin core solder should be used, its the stuff used for electronics)
2. Heat Gun
3. Shrink Tubing
4. Wire Strippers
5. Jig for holding wires (Optional)

Image

Start off by stripping 3/8 to 1/2 inch of insulation off each wire and twist the loose strands.
Image

Now take the bare strands of each wire, lay them one on top of the other and twist. This gives you a mechanical connection, the tighter the twist the better. it should look like the pic.
Image

Now we are going to start soldering (i have my iron set on 45watts 35 works fine too, larger gauge wire will require more heat so more watts), apply the heat under the joint, you will notice in the pic that im putting solder on top of the tip of the iron but under the wire. This pool of solder will help with heat transfer.
Image

Next, melt the solder on the wire, not the iron, use the iron to heat the wire hot enough to melt the solder, use the tip of the iron to move the solder around the joint, the solder will follow the heat, apply more solder as needed.
Image

When your finished it should look like this.
Image

Finally shrink tubing and heat gun.
Image

sorry for the blurry pics, hope this helps someone. just remember when you solder you want to heat what your soldering hot enough to melt the solder. so you want to heat up the wire and melt the solder on the wire if you dont the joint will be "cold" and will FAIL.
Team NOCO Crew Member #2
Image
User avatar
5thgen
Posts: 1097
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:25 pm

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by 5thgen »

That is how I usually do it too.

Things to keep in mind if people do this:

Solder joints (esp. on thin wire...22ga. and up) can make the wire itself brittle. It will be the weakest at the ends of where the solder is, and here the wire pretty much loses its flexibility. You shouldn't have a solder joint and a area of movement IMO. Keep them where wires are straight, and bundle them with other wires so your joint won't move.

Also most of the time, if I can, I'll tape the wire...then heat shrink. The copper strands (or roughness of the joint) can sometimes work themselves through the heat shrink.

looks good.
Image
User avatar
stolle
Posts: 2241
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:47 pm

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by stolle »

5thgen;219155 wrote:That is how I usually do it too.

Things to keep in mind if people do this:

Solder joints (esp. on thin wire...22ga. and up) can make the wire itself brittle. It will be the weakest at the ends of where the solder is, and here the wire pretty much loses its flexibility. You shouldn't have a solder joint and a area of movement IMO. Keep them where wires are straight, and bundle them with other wires so your joint won't move.

Also most of the time, if I can, I'll tape the wire...then heat shrink. The copper strands (or roughness of the joint) can sometimes work themselves through the heat shrink.

looks good.
good stuff, i actually never thought of the electrical tape then heat shrink, i just made sure there wasnt any stray strands sticking up, lol, i will defiantly use that method in the future. thanks
Team NOCO Crew Member #2
Image
User avatar
tommygun89hb
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:47 pm

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by tommygun89hb »

lock stocked and barrel that is the only right way to do it
tcr03
Posts: 136
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:06 pm

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by tcr03 »

personaly i dont twist the wire ends before twisting them together. this leaves more room for the solder to flow through the wires.
User avatar
.saint
Posts: 227
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:13 am

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by .saint »

you dont want to twist the wires together super tight. you want the solder to flow into the wires to make a tighter hold.

as for that 'jig' its called a helping hands and they can be had @ harbor freight for about $4 very nice thing to have. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... number=319
User avatar
Capt'n Obvious
Posts: 2973
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:11 pm

DIY: wire splicing 101

Post by Capt'n Obvious »

my grandpa taught me how to solder 4 door taught me the right way to do it then tommygun taught me how to perfect my soldering
practice practice practice

i used to use rosin and flux then my grandpa told me to use acid, acid is alot easier to work with but its alot more smokey and doesnt require as much heat and melts quick
so far behind im ahead of the pack.