tin or not to tin

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.

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.

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

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

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?

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

944guy wrote:

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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.

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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. 

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.

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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."

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?

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OWWWWWWWWWWW you said you discharged the cap!

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

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keep it greasy

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.

Dielectric

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

dustysnakes wrote:

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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

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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.

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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."

Dielectric dont know if its the same stuff? i do know grease monkeys use it on batt cables and grounds? next time im at my shop ill find a tube and make sure its even the right name.

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OWWWWWWWWWWW you said you discharged the cap!

There are compunds that help prevent surface oxidation, and there are also electrical grade greases that mechanics use on battery posts, but they are NOT dielectric.

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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."

I use spray paint over the grounds to prevent corrosion lol...either that or undercoating

"Dielectric Silicone Compound

"GM Module: Apply to bottom of module to insure proper heat dissipation.

"Ford Rotor: Lightly coat (1/16") rotor blade surface.

"Electronic Module Connection: Protects connection from contamination.

"Trailer and marine electrical connections: Protects against moisture, dirt, and corrosion while in storage and in use. Excellent for protecting marine and automotive battery terminals.

"Operating Range: -40degrees F to 400degrees F."

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

The silicone ITSELF is an insulator. It is used in these cases as an anti-OXIDANT, keeping air or corrosives from the surface, or filling in microscopic gaps to provide more efficient heat transfer to a substrate.

To IMPROVE electrical conductivity, one would NEVER use such a product.

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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."

I agree. It's a corrosion preventative. That's all.

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

The above was from the package the tube is in. This is from the back of the tube;

"Recommended for all electrical and electronic ignition connections where a dielectric compound is required to prevent voltage loss from arcing, suppress radio interference, dissipate heat, insulate connections, and seal out moisture.

"Use on GM modules, Ford rotors, spark plug boots, marine light sockets, and other connections."

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001