soldering 8 gauge wire together
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=45874
Printed Date: April 27, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Topic: soldering 8 gauge wire together
Posted By: satchmoe27
Subject: soldering 8 gauge wire together
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 5:47 PM
i recently posted a message explaining how my wires are not long enough to reach my trunk. After everybody helped me out I decided that i am going to solder some more 8 gauge wire to the short pieces. I dont have the money right now to upgrade to the 4 gauge wire with dist. block. my question is what type of soldering gun or iron do you recommend. Is there a certain wattage needed for thihs type of work. I have a 100 watt soldering gun from radio shack is that good enough. Also what type of solder should I use 60/40 or something with led. I have no idea on the different types of solder.
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screamon deamon
Replies:
Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 6:31 PM
I'd suggest a gas-powered soldering iron for all large gauge wires. Look into Portasol brand self-igniting irons. I think mine's adjustable up to about 1100 degrees and it heats up quick. It also has a window in the bottom to view your butane level. I don't remember where I got mine, but I know you can get some through Snap-On, and I've even seen a similar one at Frys Electronics.
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Posted By: auex
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 8:38 PM
Yeah, try a small propane torch or pen torch. A soldering iron won't cut it on this size of wire.
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Posted By: Ketel22
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 9:11 PM
i would definately look into a torch, preferably a smaller 1 like auex was saying although a normal propane torch would still work. something that ive found that comes in handy for soldering 8ga is the reducing crimps that come with some fuse blocks....u may not be able to find those though. good luck!
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Posted By: flynntech
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 9:23 PM
A regular sized propane torch, don't freak when the insulation lights up, just blow it out and keep going. The trick to keeping it from overheating is to keep feeding it solder. There is nothing wrong with wasting a couple feet of solder on this one. Use a bare copper crimp first if you can find one, I'd recomend to solder outside of the car.
Posted By: Carbonb
Date Posted: December 24, 2004 at 1:32 AM
I have used torches and as they are handy, using a lighter will yield the exact same effect.
Easiest if performed with a friend hold two wires together, hold lighter slightly under wires and feed solder onto it through the top.
I've used a lighter, I've used torches and I've used electrical soldering guns. A 100W soldering gun to me is unheard of. Meaning that is a lot of watts, 15W is used for most basic of circuitry so a 100W should easily be enough to heat up some 8 gauge wire.
Posted By: Ketel22
Date Posted: December 24, 2004 at 8:13 AM
the 100w gun from radio shack isn't the boasted 100w you have to remember.
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Posted By: flynntech
Date Posted: December 24, 2004 at 10:55 AM
The disposable butane lighters can do that, but holding a flame with one is extreemly dangerous. Believe me, I used to play with fire quite a bit as a young man, there's a reason they recomend not to hold the flame for extended times. The torch is the safest because your hand is not right next to and under the wire as it's dripping solder and sometimes molten insulation. Not only is it safer, but it most certainly heats it up much quicker than a lighter or small torch and makes a better solder joint than either of the smaller flames can. The most important thing is to hold it still, un-twist the strands and braid them back together, it can sit in a vise and it wont move at all.
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: December 24, 2004 at 12:17 PM
A 100 watt gun will do fine for number 8... I have used the RS 150 watt gun to solder number 4 and number 2... Yeah, it takes a while, but you do not have an open flame in your trunk to worry about. Just be patient, and use SMALL solder. The .062 stuff works WONDERS. I say use small solder because it will melt easier, without over-cooling your solder joint.
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