How to connect two wires..?
- Thread starter NViejeP
- Start date
So I went and both like 20 18-22 AWG butt connectors. Got home and after like 5 or bad crimps, I finally did it.
Looks like my tool isn't very good. I used the 12-14 AWG part of the tool because it didn't bend and actually did the trick. When I would use the top of it, for the 18-22 AWG wire, the tool would kind of bend and not really push down on it. But after pushing down on it with the bigger part, it actually did the trick and its going to be kind of a hard tug to get it loose.
But I do want to learn how to solder. While I was at radioshack I saw the irons and guns.. opted against it for now.
How hard is it to solder? What tools do I need?
Looks like my tool isn't very good. I used the 12-14 AWG part of the tool because it didn't bend and actually did the trick. When I would use the top of it, for the 18-22 AWG wire, the tool would kind of bend and not really push down on it. But after pushing down on it with the bigger part, it actually did the trick and its going to be kind of a hard tug to get it loose.
But I do want to learn how to solder. While I was at radioshack I saw the irons and guns.. opted against it for now.
How hard is it to solder? What tools do I need?
alpine0000
New member
NViejeP said:
haha, so you think your crimp tool is the problem, so your just going to resort to an even more complicated and more expensive solution? soldering? get a real crimp tool! thats 100% of the problem. those cheap crimpers you get at radio shack SUCK. and i think i remember you mentioning pliers - those are just not even suitable for crimping. i just cannot fathom how you can have 5 bad crimps trying to connect one wire. i havent had 5 bad crimps in the past 5 years and im always wiring stuff up. it HAS to be a cheap crimp tool, or you just arent squeezing hard enough. thats all it could be.
this is the tool to avoid -
this tool is what the pros use
and here are the good connectors, way better than butt connectors. and one size fits all here if you have a good crimper (unless we are talking about a huge 8 guage wire or something).
those crimpers + those exact crimp cap connectors are EXACTLY what i used as a professional installer for about 5 years and never had any problems. :biggrin2:
Uneek
Super Moderator
NViejeP said:
It's not hard to do at all, esp if it's just wires. Worst that can happen is you end up melting the wire's insulation. Now, if you were doing modchips for PSes, PS2s, Xboxes, then there's something to worry about as excess heat can easily damage the printed circuit board (PCB) or chip components.
Tool wise, all you need is a soldering iron/gun. Depending on how advance you want to take it, higher end model irons/guns have different/interchangable tips and heating elements based on applications. You may also want a soldering iron/gun stand or holder.
For supplies, you'll need solder and flux.
To solder, you will want to prep and clean the wires. Put flux on the wires and apply heat directly to the wire. Once the wire is hot enough, put solder on to the wire. Repeat for the other wire. When both wires have solder on them, heat one up again, and place the other wire on to the heated one. Let it cool and you're almost done. Now just cover up the soldered connection with tape or heat shrink tubing (preferred). I'm sure there are more advance and better methods, but that's typically how I've been doing it.
Good luck.
Uneek
Super Moderator
NViejeP,
You can find that crimp tool at Home Depot for about $30. Worth the investment if you're going to crimp more than just this one time. The reason why that crimp tool is better is in the handles, it's longer and you get great leverage off of it. I've bent butt connectors squeezing too hard. Every pro installer use those for crimping.
Otherwise, the other tool will suffice for one or two crimps. It's cheap and it's got a wire stripper.
Yup. I'm pretty sure its the tool. The tool came out of one of those all in one tool kits my Dad had. Basically what would happen is that the two parts that are used to squeeze the butt connector would seperatate in opposite directions so it would kind of bend the butt connector.
How long does it take to a solder one set of wires?
I'm probably eventually going to get a soldering iron or a good tool for crimping because I can see in the near future that I need to crimp.
How long does it take to a solder one set of wires?
I'm probably eventually going to get a soldering iron or a good tool for crimping because I can see in the near future that I need to crimp.
Uneek
Super Moderator
NViejeP said:
I have an iron, see this page. It's the same as the blue one they have but a 7500 series. The heating element is a #1237-S, 33v. I have a higher element as well, 50v. For stereo wires, the 33v is enough. I have various tips and points, some are flat like a screwdriver, pointed and chisel. I haven't used a gun before, but the size and shape appears combersome.
I also bought a Coleman ColdHeat for the heck of it, but haven't used it yet. Costo sold two different versions before for $13-20. The difference is one comes with a wire stripper.
Uneek
Super Moderator
Here's a how-to to get you started. He doesn't mention the use of flux, for the most part, you probably don't need it if you're doing circuits like what he's doing. I use flux when soldering wires together. Flux helps the solder flow better and cover the areas which its applied on.
The how-to also mentions why an iron is better than a gun. It's the heating element's possibilty of damaging passing voltage through circuits.
The how-to also mentions why an iron is better than a gun. It's the heating element's possibilty of damaging passing voltage through circuits.
viper4evr2001
New member
Wait Wait Wait. Don
greasefingers
New member
You have to use some common sense when joining wires. If it is a critical piece (like a throttle position sensor) then you fix it the best way known, solder joint. Also if it is something that is buried in the dashboard, and takes time to get at, then you also solder it. But for something that is not important (something that will not leave you stranded) like an added 12v power outlet, then I just crimp connect it as I can always get to it easy. I would not want to rip a door skin off for a second time to repair a speaker wire either.
If it is under the hood or under the vehicle then I soldered and always heat-shrink it to keep condensation and dirt out of the terminals inside the connection. All vehicle connectors, that are located outside of the cabin, have rubber seals in them for this very reason.
If it is under the hood or under the vehicle then I soldered and always heat-shrink it to keep condensation and dirt out of the terminals inside the connection. All vehicle connectors, that are located outside of the cabin, have rubber seals in them for this very reason.
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alpine0000
New member
greasefingers said:
which is exactly why im just shaking my head in shame, and laughing at the same time that this guy is gonna go out and buy a soldering iron, flux, solder, etc. and learn to solder (when he cant even crimp) JUST to fix a remote turn on wire. LOL! dont forget to use heat shrink on that bad boy! cause that thing gets exposed to elements!
seriously, this wire takes less than 5 seconds to strip AND crimp, and this is turning into a week long ordeal with a million people giving him advice he doesnt need (solder, heat shrink, flux, etc...).
yes, soldering and heat shrink is professional, but theres a time and a place for solder, and a time and a place for a crimp cap. we all know where this topic stands. this is like telling the guy to light a cigarette with a blow torch when a match will do that same job.
but far be it from me to judge. i guess it wont hurt to learn to solder. maybe its a skill he will need in the future. its just going a bit overboard for a signal wire (NOT power wire) that carrys maybe 1 amp of current, is easily accessible, and not outside the vehicle, thats all... you will benefit NOTHING by soldering it over using a crimp cap. NOTHING. (unless you dont buy a real crimping tool and you keep using your pliers to crimp)
: just tryin to help ya, thats all! sometimes the K.I.S.S. method works best!
Oh, I'm not trying to solder this connection, maybe I'll practice on this connection but I just want to learn how to solder. I'm goign to be doing lots of car audio installs in the future and might as well learn.
I can crimp now, I was doing it right all along, my tool was just screwed up and bending the crimp cap instead of pushing the metal together.
I can crimp now, I was doing it right all along, my tool was just screwed up and bending the crimp cap instead of pushing the metal together.
viper4evr2001
New member
Have you thought about the fact that because there are other people on this forum and other people are reading this post that just maybe the information on this page isn
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alpine0000
New member
viper4evr2001 said:
