Re: Making your own battery cables
In an attempt to add more light than heat to the crimp vs solder conversation I am submitting information at
www.groundfusion.com/faq.php for your consideration.
For those that are in the crimp camp, you will find that crimping in and of itself is not the answer. In the information you will see that just squeezing a terminal and wire together is not 'good crimping practice'. If poorly done, it is much less satisfactory than soldering. The wire stripper, bolt cutter, cold chisel and hammer, or even a bona fide crimping tool does not insure a proper connection. But because it is 'crimped' a false sense of security is created because everyone 'knows' that crimping is better than soldering.
The downside to soldering a connection such as mentioned in this thread is for the most part in the realm of the 'theoretical'. Static heating and amalgam stratification presents itself on a molecular level under heavy load and continuous use, of which our cranking systems are excluded.
Although I solder these types of connections for myself, seal with liquid electrical tape, and shrink tube, I am not recommending it. But, for those who flatly state that a crimp is superior and don't know why or how to produce that superior connection you are as dangerous as the persons you castigate for soldering connections.
In the GroundFusion info, it should be noted that an acceptable crimp can only be obtained using non-tinned wire. As far as I know all marine grade wire is tinned, which makes for an unacceptable crimped connection.
Long story short, understand the process and do what you are comfortable with and your abilities allow you to do. It's you boat and your backside out on the water.
