Wire Connection Problems

[acdc96]

On both my trailer and boat the wiring in them are mostly copper. I'm fed up with connectors cause of all the corrosion that occurs, so I'm taking out most of the connectors and just soldering them together ( Except for ring, spade, & plugs connectors). On some of them when i strip the wire their is this black substance or something on the copper wire. it's dry and very fine. this makes soldering very difficult because the solder will not go onto the wires. I put flux on the wires and soldering gun to clean them, i use solder with flux in it, and the soldering gun is hot enough to melt and apply the solder.

I'm really at a loss here. i don't know if it's corrosion cause corrosion is usually a greenish/blueish color.
I don't want to replace the wiring its to expensive.

any ideas on what this could be?
and how to clean or solve this problem??

thanks in advance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

It's corrosion because the splices are not protected from moisture.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

Agree w/Silvertip and will add: Once connections have been made cover them with liquid tape and then grease to keep the moisture out. Keeping grease on the connection prongs also helps.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

Use tinned wire and you won't have this problem.

You just have to strip back until you find clean wire.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

Would any grease do? (Wheel Bearing Grease)?
I don't strip back to clean wire any more... I just strip off the amount I need and spray it with some WD-40 and then use 1000 grit wetsand paper and lightly sand or until it looks clean then wipe it off with a rag and solder it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

You should pick up some dielectric grease, not bearing grease you can pick it up at home depot or most any place.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

Agree dielectric grease is nice, it cleans up easier and works well. I use dielectric for plug wires and other like locations. I have also been using wheel bearing grease on battery connections, inside electrical connectors and other link items after the electrical connection has been made. Have found wheel bearing grease stays put and does leak away from heat or if water comes in contact with it. Been using it for many years and the only down side is clean up.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

Would any grease do? (Wheel Bearing Grease)?
I don't strip back to clean wire any more... I just strip off the amount I need and spray it with some WD-40 and then use 1000 grit wetsand paper and lightly sand or until it looks clean then wipe it off with a rag and solder it.

Ayuh,.... That's the Problem,... WD-40 is a contaminate, just like the black corrosion yer seein', 'n sandin' don't clean the internal surfaces, just the outside,...

What flux ya usin',..??

Ya need bright shiny copper to start with if yer solderin' the connections, or tinned wire...

'n, I, like Alldodge, use plain ole axle grease to keep my connections from corrodin',...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

I don't strip back to clean wire any more... I just strip off the amount I need and spray it with some WD-40 and then use 1000 grit wetsand paper and lightly sand or until it looks clean then wipe it off with a rag and solder it.

At best, you have clean copper on the outer strands. You are guaranteed a bad solder joint.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

At best, you have clean copper on the outer strands. You are guaranteed a bad solder joint.

Agreed. I would be replacing the wire.

Just to repeat DonS's favorite saying:

 

[acdc96]

Re: Wire Connection Problems

I've started to replace some of the bad corroded wires with new wire.
I didn't want to because of the cost of new wires and installing them.
My trailer lights are working flawlessly and I don't want to replace the wiring just yet.
BOAT still lives of up to its name... Bust. Out. Another. Thousand.