Battery cable ends- solder or crimp?

[The Bilge Idiot]

I am finishing up my Sleekcraft project (finally) this weekend! I have used solder and shrink tube on ALL of the wiring/terminals. I started to build the battery cables last night but stopped because I wondered if they ever get hot enough to melt the solder? I know under "normal" circumstances they shouldn't, but just too be safe I thought I would see what "The Jury" thinks. Crimp, solder or both?

Thanks for your help!

~Bilge

Stay tuned for pics :)

[Bruster]

Solder.
If they were to get hot enough to melt the solder you have way bigger problems than your solder joint. A correctly soldered joint will have about a 0% chance of failure.:D

[Jay Smith]

I'm with Bruster I ALWAYS solder just a better neater joint and the shrink wrap just make a slick joint..

My opinion,

[The Bilge Idiot]

Solder.
If they were to get hot enough to melt the solder you have way bigger problems than your solder joint. A correctly soldered joint will have about a 0% chance of failure.:DThat's what I was thinking, but wanted a second opinion. Thanks Bud!

~Bilge

[The Bilge Idiot]

I'm with Bruster I ALWAYS solder just a better neater joint and the shrink wrap just make a slick joint..

My opinion,Thanks Jay, that's how I did everything else- just can't beat it! Never had a connection fail :) I had a Ford dually, that the previous owner set what I believe was a record for how many of those blue plastic wire tap connectors you could use on one vehicle - what a mess. I never really cared for them before, but after that it became a strong hatred!
One of the best things dad taught me was
"If you don't have time to do it right, how are you going to find time to do it over?"

~Bilge

[Ted Stryker]

Make sure the wire and the inside of the connector is perfectly clean, then apply flux to the wire and connector... Crimp the joint, and then solder... The solder will fill all voids for perfect conductivity and a connection that will not pull apart or corrode... That's the perfect method...

[riverrunner114]

Make sure the wire and the inside of the connector is perfectly clean, then apply flux to the wire and connector... Crimp the joint, and then solder... The solder will fill all voids for perfect conductivity and a connection that will not pull apart or corrode... That's the perfect method...

yep. thats

[riverrunner114]

Make sure the wire and the inside of the connector is perfectly clean, then apply flux to the wire and connector... Crimp the joint, and then solder... The solder will fill all voids for perfect conductivity and a connection that will not pull apart or corrode... That's the perfect method...

yep. thats the way i do them

[SportJ-US-1]

Crimp, then solder. Make's twice the connection. Actually properly crimped connections compress the wire so hard that it becomes a solid piece and part of the connector. However, very few have the crimper with the 4 foot handles to do it or a set of crimp jaws made to work in a press. That's why at home I always crimp, then solder.

[The Bilge Idiot]

Thanks guys! Cables are crimped, soldered and shrink tubed! Time for a sammich and a couple coolies, then back out there to get this sumbitch finished up and go to the lake!!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M DAMN NEAR DONE :D :D

I picked it up in Calif on 08/24/05 Brought it straight home and started tearing it apart. Rebuilt transom, bulkheads, back of dash, completey stripped, Re-powered and re-rigged with all new controls, gauges, wiring, plumbing and hardware. New carpet, rebuilt interior, new sound system and rebuilt the trailer. I guess that ain't too bad - considering I did everything myself -in a carport! (talk about a one legged fatman in an ass kickin contest!) :D As soon as I get it finished, I'll give it a good bath and take some pics!
THANKS EVERYBODY!!! :)
~Bilge

[M.CHAPMAN]

Hey Jeff, all that time and hard work will be well worth it when you drop the hammer for the first time out on the water.
Look forward to seeing some pics of it.
-Michael

[The Bilge Idiot]

Thanks Mike, I guess the old saying is true: "The Devil is in the details" because I've been "a couple hours away" for about three days now!:o

:D :rolleyes:

[RitcheyRch]

Solder and heat shrink tubing.

[Jeff_G]

I have done it both ways. OMC used to recommend a crimp. Mercury recommends solder. Today I prefer solder. If you do solder use an electrical grade solder. If you use an acid flux solder it can cause corrosion down the road and subsequent failure.