Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

[18rabbit]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

Byacey - forget the soldering iron. It won't open a bottle of beer. Crimpers...no problem, opens 'er up every time.

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

I've been using the heat shrink connectors , for the last couple years. Butt connectors as well as rings, spade connectors etc.<br /> There great, and easier then using both the crimp and shrink tube. <br /> As they are both in one. I use a small windproof cigarette lighter/torch to shrink them.<br /> Once there shrunk , the plastic , kinda oozes out around ends . Very well sealed connection. They have them at wal-mart, Lowes etc.<br /> KYHunter

 

[jtexas]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

I have a 25-year-old boat, used in freshwater only, stored outside with a cover - the accessories are wired mostly with automotive wiring - no corrosion.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

Does anyone agree with me? Whenever I make an electrical connection no matter if it is crimped or soldered, I apply fingernail polish to the connection. An old time ham radio operator once told me that fingernail polish is almost pure enemal and will protect the connection forever no matter what.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

Originally posted by JohnRuff:<br /> Does anyone agree with me? Whenever I make an electrical connection no matter if it is crimped or soldered, I apply fingernail polish to the connection. An old time ham radio operator once told me that fingernail polish is almost pure enemal and will protect the connection forever no matter what.

what color?<br /><br />

 

[byacey]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

finger nail polish is a nitro-cellulose laquer and will protect/ seal a connection from humidity. A soldered connection creates an air-tight connection anyways, and probably wouldn't benefit from the nail polish, but at the same time it won't hurt to apply it either. I would be skeptical about heat shrink tubing creating a total air / water proof seal on connectors. If it almost seals it can work against you if it ever gets moisture inside, because the moisture will take a long time to evaporate, and it will have lots of time to corrode inside. With what I know and have seen, I would still crimp and solder if it was my boat.

 

[donnenluja]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

What do all you guys think about Raychem Solder Sleeves? They have solder in them that melts when you shrink the sleeving which seals the joint. I recently ran across these beauties when installing stereo in my car. They work great!

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

Originally posted by Peter_in_Maine:<br /> "OEM wiring is not tinned wire, that should tell you something."<br /><br />Actually, the upper tier boat manufacturers do use tinned wire, That should tell you something!

I just re-wired my 35 year old Slickcraft. This boat was built by the same MFG that builds Tiara and prior to Slickers (the founder of Tiara) leaving to form his own boat MFG, he was a leader with ChrisCraft. I would consider this boat though old, an upper tier manufactured boat. It has well stood the test of time with it's second engine with over 1,300 hours behind her. When I did the rewire, none of the original wiring that was removed was tinned. I did however use tinned wire to replace the re-wired systems though. The price difference was not enough to justify not using it. <br /> One thing I considered in my choice is that every single electronics accessory or electrical addition to my boat be it a Speed & Temp, Fishfinder, GPS whatever uses tinned wire. Now I figure 35 years ago it wasn't used. Does this make tinned wire a bad choice? I doubt it. <br /> As far as soldering? The only connections I soldered after crimping were larger than 10 ga. ie. Battery Terminals.

 

[Gone]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

I'll jump into the fray here. One of the products that we offer is the Compass/Temp mirror that you see in many cars. Sometimes the temperature wire that runs through the engine compartment gets cut and needs repair. If a crimp only splice is used (unsealed), the connection oxidizes and within 30 days the temperature reading becomes increasingly erroneous. The same should happen to the temp wires on your fish finder. This is because it is a resistive type sensor, with small current that is sensitive to small changes in resistance. Only soldering the splice (with or without a mechanical crimp) maintains the accuracy. For most general situations, a crimp will work fine. RUFF and YACEY have the best idea...SEAL IT.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

B-Boy, your father is right. Won't hurt, won't help. The non-tinned wire will out live us both. It has made ANCHOR a very profitable company selling their overpriced wire and connectors.<br /><br />I would be more conscious of the jacket. Making sure it's gas/oil environment rated. Anywhere the wire has a chance of seeing daylight, make sure you cover it with loom. Ultraviolet will do more harm than anything else.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

What do all you guys think about Raychem Solder Sleeves? They have solder in them that melts when you shrink the sleeving which seals the joint. I recently ran across these beauties when installing stereo in my car. They work great!

At Honeywell which is now Alient Tech we used these solder sleeves on all shielded cable. They work great however the wire has to be teflon so that the high heat required to melt the solder would not melt the wire insulation. Also they required a special fitting for a heat gun so the heat would be concentrated on the bead of solder. My only concern with these conncetions is it is impossible to remove the flux from the connections because of the sleeving on it.

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

I have been soldering butt connections,crimping terminal end conn.4 YEARS! No moisture-related resistance problems in any properly done solder conn.yet!Only pro argument that ever made since was that the heat may make the wire brittle and prone to vibration cracking.Proper supporting,& looming should eliminate that possibility.Brush-on"Liquid Electric Tape"seals GREAT!

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

What you know yesterday, usually changes by tomorrow.<br /><br />Soldering as we all knew it has now changed with the required introduction of LEAD FREE SOLDER. Not only do you need a new and much hotter soldering iron or soldering station -- you need the new lead free solder also.<br /><br />Now for the fun of it all. What do you think the introduction of lead free soldering will have on its use in boat wiring?<br /><br />

 

[byacey]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

In the electronics industry we still use lead and tin solder, 60/40 ratio. The only push for using lead free solder is in the plumbing industry to prevent lead leaching into potable water.

 

[Chunder06]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

What an interesting subject, there is one thing not mentioned,that is the quality of the crimping tool, el-cheapo crimpers will not do the job, I also beleive adhesive heat shrink connectors should be used.

 

[Gone]

Re: Tinned Copper Wire In Freshwater Environment

While the plumbing ind has gone lead free, so has the electronics ind. This is driven by OSHA on behalf of the workers and the EPA as far as disposal hazards.<br /><br />My comments about crimps is that they "gouge" through the tinned surface and expose the copper making it even more essential to seal the connection with liquid tape or nail polish if it is not soldered.<br /><br />Hopefully, no one uses "Scotch Locks" anymore.