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General Tech Solder Skills

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KVH

KVH

Obi Wan
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I’m trying to recall, but can somebody please explain once again the solder properties that occur when your soldering a bullet connector on to a wire. I believe that if you stick the end of the wire through the top of the bullet it draws the solder back down to fill the bullet. Maybe I have it in reverse. Perhaps when you solder inside the bullet it draws it toward the tip of the bullet and seals it there. In any event, an explanation would be appreciated thank you
 
The solder always follows the heat. So wire in the connector, decent solder tip on the center of the connector and let the solder wick into the connector...usually from the open tip. It helps to have an insulating surface to hold the connector as you push the tip against it.
 
:iagree: And you want the solder to run in between the strands of wire, if possible. I find that "tinning" the exposed wire with the solder before inserting it into the connector is helpful.
 
Agree with everyone's comments above. Cleanliness is important. Tinning the wire helps ensure the wire is clean - at a point when you can still see the wire.
 
Geo your reply addresses my question.Why solder?I use modernT&B bullets with a proper crimper and see no downside besides originality,and the benefit of no stress point on the stranded wire at the connector,plus faster and easier.
No modern vehicle has any soldered connections that I am aware of.
My experience is everything is clamped or krimped ,auto and marine,although I solder vintage switch connections on motorcycles but but not on a bullet connector,although most of my work was low voltage(below 600vac)
Tom
 
My soldering skills were always very poor until I started using the rosin solder flux ( a paste). It was especially helpful while soldering the bullets on the wires.
 
+1 on the crimping tool. It works well. Make sure you use the right size bullet connectors.
 
Geo Hahn said:
I agree with all of the above but will also point you to this:

https://mossmotors.com/wire-harness-bullet-crimp-tool

Not cheap - but it is a great tool that makes a tight and attractive connection.
Click to expand...


I thought, dangerously, that one of the reasons for the bullet connectors was that you could take them apart. Not possible if crimped to the connector. Am I misunderstanding something? It sounds as though it makes a very secure connection.
 
They are talking about attaching the bullet to the wire. The bullet is still just pushed in to it’s socket to make a removable connection. Many of the wiring looms come without the bullets, so you have to add them...with solder...to the end of the wires.
 
Dr_Mike said:
I thought, dangerously, that one of the reasons for the bullet connectors was that you could take them apart. Not possible if crimped to the connector. Am I misunderstanding something? It sounds as though it makes a very secure connection.
Click to expand...
The male bullet gets crimped (or soldered) to rhe wire and the matching female gets crimped(or soldered)and they push together.

Tom
 
I gave up crimping wires in my 20's...many moons ago! I often still crimp some connections, but I solder ALL connections, including the ones I crimp. I realized that about 1 out of 10 crimped connections were eventually going to cause intermittent issues. Dissimilar metal corrosion, improper removal of the connectors, oil...you name it can cause the connection to fail and go intermittent. I no longer run into intermittent electrical problems...except with factory made looms which were crimped by someone else!
 
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