tin or not to tin

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / tin or not to tin (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Next Page > < Prev Topic Next Topic >

944guy

Member - Posts: 40

Joined: March 14, 2008

Location: Nebraska, United States

Posted: April 17, 2008 at 11:35 PM / IP Logged

Ok I have done a few installs for friends and myself. I was wondering what some opinions about tinning the end of your wires. Like the ones that go into terminal cups or have sets screws holding them on the amp. I personally tin all my wires just because iv seen allot of problems with frayed wires shorting and blowing amps. Just wondering if there was any reason not to, because some one told me it restricts the flow of electricity but that sounds like BS because solder is conductive so there shouldn’t be a problem.

jmelton86

Gold - Posts: 1,228

Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: April 17, 2008 at 11:43 PM / IP Logged

I've actually wondered this, also. But, I'm sure the copper wire is more conductive than the solder so it's probably just a waste. To keep the wires from fraying, twist them tight -then secure.

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

aznboi3644

Gold - Posts: 2,600

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: May 01, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: April 17, 2008 at 11:55 PM / IP Logged

I don't tin the ends....I solder my ring terminals though

sedate

Silver - Posts: 1,173

Joined: July 03, 2004

Location: Colorado, United States

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 12:20 AM / IP Logged

I'm a little behind the class. . .

Tinning is soldering the ends to prevent fraying? The way one might burn the end of a rope?

"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

Steven Kephart

Platinum - Posts: 1,737

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: November 06, 2003

Location: Oregon, United States

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 1:15 AM / IP Logged

944guy wrote:

Actually it's not BS. Copper is more conductive than solder, so it would technically provide a better connection. However copper oxidizes which will effect it's surface conductivity. This is why many companies gold plate their terminals (again a less conductive material than copper, but one that doesn't corrode). However the losses from solder, corrosion, or gold plating will be so small as not to be audible. And tinned ends are more manageable and less likely to run astray.

Search for other posts by Steven Kephart

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 1:23 AM / IP Logged

With reasonable care exercised in the installation, tinning is really an unnecessary step.

Either way, safety comes first, and while tinned connections ARE easier to handle, the non-tinned connections (as said) are marginally better conductivity-wise than are tinned connections.

They will BOTH oxidize, though, so that's a superfluous argument.

I do NOT tin my wires.

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

daboss593

Copper - Posts: 154

Joined: March 29, 2008

Location: Florida, United States

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 7:13 AM / IP Logged

hmmmmmmm i was told to use dyelectric? dont think i spelled that right. its a anti corrisive gel for jst about anything with a volt going in it. it also helps with better conductivity. my grease monkey dad swears buy it .but we are talking about car audio. not battery or grounds on a car? any one use this in a car audio setup?

OWWWWWWWWWWW you said you discharged the cap!

dustysnakes

Member - Posts: 25

Joined: March 18, 2008

Location: Mississippi, United States

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 10:49 AM / IP Logged

i used that goop once and didnt see that much of a diffrence honestly except it got goop all over my terminals however i do "tin" the ends i just do it with silver solder which while not as conductive as copper is more so than lead/tin

keep it greasy

wishuponansg

Copper - Posts: 62

Joined: March 17, 2008

Location: Florida, United States

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 11:06 AM / IP Logged

i soldered all my connections on my head unit install, then wrapped electrical tape around them, while unnecessary, it gives me peace of mind, knowing that my wires won't fray/screw up.

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: April 18, 2008 at 11:07 AM / IP Logged

Dielectric

I certainly HOPE nobody that knows anything about electricity or electroncs never told you to use a dielectric!

dustysnakes wrote:

INFINITESSIMALLY more conductive. Being as it is only 4% solder, at best, the extra expense of silver solder over standard lead solder makes ZERO sense. Stop wasting your time and money with that stuff... Just use plain old lead solder, until you HAVE to use silver solder. The BIGGEST REASON for the big push toward silver solder is "environmental". Less lead in the waste chain.

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Next Page >

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.