11 replies to this topic

[RolfieB]

As per the title.

Which is the best or safest way.

Twist wires together.

Splice wires together & then twist them.

[silverback]

The best way is to strip the wire back and solder without twisting, do this to both ends that need joining. Slip some shrink tub over one end,offer the two soldered ends up to each other and solder, pull the shrink tub over the joint and heat.

[Gasman]

I don't know the specified method, but I prefer to slide on the heat shrink to one side, twist the wires together in a straight line and then solder them. Don't forget to flux them first, slide down the heat shrink and heat.

Any method will do as long as they stay together. In an awkward situation I have even twisted the wires together as you would to fit into a connector soldered and then slipped over the heat shrink.

I do know about flux cored solder before someone pulls me up but being a gasman cum plumber I prefer to flux.

Edited by Gasman, 03 March 2015 - 05:55 pm.

[RolfieB]

The best way is to strip the wire back and solder without twisting, do this to both ends that need joining. Slip some shrink tub over one end,offer the two soldered ends up to each other and solder, pull the shrink tub over the joint and heat.

Not tried this way before. Will give it a go at the weekend.

[Catteeclan]

Same as gasman for me although I use flux cored solder.

[RolfieB]

I don't know the specified method, but I prefer to slide on the heat shrink to one side, twist the wires together in a straight line and then solder them. Don't forget to flux them first, slide down the heat shrink and heat.

Any method will do as long as they stay together. In an awkward situation I have even twisted the wires together as you would to fit into a connector soldered and then slipped over the heat shrink.

I do know about flux cored solder before someone pulls me up but being a gasman cum plumber I prefer to flux.

This was my prefered method. But then I wondered if there was a proper way to do it.

I've used flux when soldering on water pipes e.t.c, but never when soldering wiring.

What exactly does it do?

[silverback]

Twisting the wires make a bigger joint and the soldered joint often fails as the solder doesn't penetrate. 

[jellypops]

Flux both wires,tin them up ,twist together,apply s/iron to melt tinned wires together,heatshrink and job done

[Gasman]

Twisting the wires make a bigger joint and the soldered joint often fails as the solder doesn't penetrate.

Never had one fail yet.
If the wires are twisted they conduct from wire to wire without the added resistance of penetrating the solder.

[ChrisG]

tin them up 

 

This!

 

Melt some solder on to both wires individually, and then bring them together and apply heat to melt the solder on both and stick them together.  You ensure good penetration of the wire by doing them individually rather than trying to add solder to 2 wires together.

[Gasman]

This was my prefered method. But then I wondered if there was a proper way to do it.I've used flux when soldering on water pipes e.t.c, but never when soldering wiring.
What exactly does it do?

When you apply heat to a joint the metal oxidises (turns black and dirty) and therefore the solder won't stick. The flux stops this happening and keeps the metal clean for a good strong joint.

[RolfieB]

When you apply heat to a joint the metal oxidises (turns black and dirty) and therefore the solder won't stick. The flux stops this happening and keeps the metal clean for a good strong joint.