Sorry, this is more about pictures than text, so dial up users will suffer for clicking on this tech article. I did just remove the article from fullsizebronco... ...it's now on fordfuelinjection:

http://fordfuelinjection.com/how2solder.html

Also I cut it up inot 2 pages to help dial up views

:rockon

what about liquid tape? instead of the heat shrink :shrug i have that :toothless

Originally posted by 1982bronco
what about liquid tape? instead of the heat shrink :shrug i have that :toothless

Ryan--> :twak <--Cory

i guess that would be a no huh :toothless :toothless :toothless :toothless :toothless :toothless

EDIT: i think i need one of those guns. the iron i have was $5 at walmart and is like only 30w

so you heat the solder to melt it? I always thought you heat the wires and feed the solder into the wires as it melts...

Originally posted by Jon0807
so you heat the solder to melt it? I always thought you heat the wires and feed the solder into the wires as it melts...

i actually thought that also :shrug :shrug

That's what they teach, but it's not the best way. I just edited my "how 2" amd it now reads:

"Now, Use the soldering gun. Always us a flat spot not the tip!
The gun will melt the solder imediatly touching the tip, this first
melted solder will heat up the wires and melt the rest of the solder.
Trying to heat up the wire t oa point to melt the solder will only
make the wires insulation get warmer and posibble melt."

On 16G and smaller wires you'll melt the vinal insulation on the rest of
the wire before you melt the solder into the wire.
And 10G wire will take ALOT of heat to melt the solder if you follwo the rules.
So This is the way I do it. And I solder a lot of wire.
I can use up a roll of solder in 2 days :thumbup
Haven't had any warenty claims yet :thumbup

I'll probably make this into a web page on fordfuelinjection.com,
"how to solder like the pro's" :toothless

Good writeup but for those who are still learning or have never done it they are going to be stuck when it comes time to put the heat shrink on. What I mean is that you forgot to tell them to put the heat shrink over the wires before you solder them together. Once they are together it would take some pretty cool magic to get the heat shrink on without remelting the solder.

I think he updated it....a few steps down it has directions to put the shrink tube on first.

Tim

Thank's Chris, I'm gona put the how2 on my site. Did you want to exchange links? I'm working on a BIG new look.



Thank's tim I know I'm not that drugged up tonight :drinkbud

I hope it still say's:

"Slide the Heat Shrink Tubing over the wire before you conect them!" before the 4th pic.

I just got you email Ryan. Yeah no problem. Your site is very informative but you are right, it needs a bit of an upgrade. I am tired and am going to bed but we'll talk later about it.

nice contribution Fireguy .. thanks :beer

I got this soldering iron at radio shack, best one i have ever had.

Its 69 bucks and heats up to 800 degrees if you need it.

http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/64/64-2185.jpg


Its the bomb-biggety. I would recommend it to anyone who solders alot.

I have always like using the very fine angel hair type Solder too, makes it easier to work with.

I just recently took my jumper cables and made use of a Warn winch connector to make a qucik disconnect permanently atached set of cables.....

Ever try to Solder 2 guage wire????

:toothless

I used a propane torch....:shocked

Worked great

Originally posted by 94_chickentaco
I got this soldering iron at radio shack, best one i have ever had.

Its 69 bucks and heats up to 800 degrees if you need it.

Its the bomb-biggety. I would recommend it to anyone who solders alot.

As long as it's output is controlable, you can't really have TOO much power. Anyone ever seen a 220volt soldering gun????? That would be soooo cool and overkill.

Originally posted by Accessory Man
I have always like using the very fine angel hair type Solder too, makes it easier to work with.

I just recently took my jumper cables and made use of a Warn winch connector to make a qucik disconnect permanently atached set of cables.....

Ever try to Solder 2 guage wire????

:toothless

I used a propane torch....:shocked

Worked great

I soldered these 2/0G batt cables for my truck and the 2G jumper disconnect on my grill. I too used propane torch. I droped in solid solder, heated up the lug, stuffed in the calbe then dunked it in water:
http://www.superford.org/getfile.php?id=48698&toggle=fullsize&f=17E.jpg
http://www.superford.org/getfile.php?id=48707&toggle=fullsize&f=jummper_disconect_1.jpg

Anyone ever seen a 220volt soldering gun?????

That's a pretty macho soldering gun:thumbup :rockon :usa

All the wiring on the boats i do that has to be soldered is at the smallest 2 guage. Usually use a small butane torch that gets to about 1500 degrees. On stuff up to 4/0 and 6/0 for power transfers from land to the boat...We use a propane torch with an adjustable output.

ONe tip....Ive always used oversized heatshrink. I recommend using about 3x the diameter of the wire you are going to use it on....It may be a bit messier and require abit more finesse, But you get a better seal, And it will keep the water and elements put MUCH better.

good tip. I forgot to talk about diameter of heat shrink

glad that a guy that works on boat electric's likes most of my how to solder, thanks :beer

Originally posted by Jon0807
so you heat the solder to melt it? I always thought you heat the wires and feed the solder into the wires as it melts...
They teach us to use a little bit of both, but lastly heating the wires, you dont want it to get to hot as it burns up the rubber stuff. If you just heat the soldier you get a blob that doesnt really stick to the copper.

Thanks accessory man for the info on soldiering 2 gauge!! I had a hard enough time with 10 lol. I either buy longer wire... or crimp wire that thick. OF course I only own a 35W iron though.

Originally posted by 81Bronk36
Thanks accessory man for the info on soldiering 2 gauge!! I had a hard enough time with 10 lol. I either buy longer wire... or crimp wire that thick. OF course I only own a 35W iron though.

LOL, I crimped it too, had to use a hand sledge for that, next time I will just strait soldier thought

Just a few more tips...


If you are soldering 2 wires together, Make sure they are entwined well. And that the heatshrink will have enough room to seal and still give space on either side.

If you are going to be putting a lug on a larger cable, 8 guage or above, I would recommend crimping the lug and soldering around the lug so it forms a seal there, Then heatshrinking from about a 1/2 inch of the wire cover to just above where the hole in the lug starts. This way if there is a failure...You can be almost certain that the mistake is not in your connector, But either in the hardware or interference somewhere along the way.

When using a terminal strip or something similar...Always make sure the lug or connector you use is a matched size to the screws in the strip...Otherwise, Your just asking for a bad connection, Of a faulty ground to occur.

Turns out apparently I had solder connections for my batt terminals so we busted out the torch and quickly used up the rest of the spool I had been working on for about a month before I left. So we went to menards and bought a big ole spoil of fat solder and soldered them. The first one was how my arm got burnt!! Dont push the wire into the lug too fast.. it hurts!!