what did i do wrong here

[Ji553r]

ok so i was using a small butane torch to do the big 3 and the insulation just tore apart like hot butter at that spot which was right underneath where the clamp was holding it. now i did not put the torch directly on the lug i did it towards the whole on top as stated in the guide but what did i possibly do wrong so i can improve for next time....it did this every time except once so you know

[Alex K]

that jacket looks like utter crap

and this happened to me too when i first used a torch. you have to heat the back of the ring and let the solder flow, harden and repeat. Looks like you let the wire deeper down get too hot and it caused the jacket to just tear off.

[Ji553r]

that jacket looks like utter crap

and this happened to me too when i first used a torch. you have to heat the back of the ring and let the solder flow, harden and repeat. Looks like you let the wire deeper down get too hot and it caused the jacket to just tear off.

i did do it to the back, right below the hole. so your saying though that i held the torch on too long and too much heat transferred down?

[Alex K]

yep. thats exactally what happened to mine, except it didn't tear, it just caught on fire. Solder drips down into your wire because wires are cicrles, and there's tiny tiny spaces between each strand. That solder, along with the heat trasfered down and caused it to get too hot; and tear.

[Ji553r]

alright thank you all i have left ot do is the + alt to batt so it will take longer but oh well i dont wanna screw up the rest of the wire. i did roughly 10 second intervals where i heated 10 then soldered then waited 10 then heated 10 more, etc. i think after the initial heating i will relax a bit and make sure its just barely hot enough to get a smooth melt

[Alex K]

yepp yepp. if you keep it hot too long it's just going to go further and further down in the wire. Take it slow and you'll be 10x more pleased with the outcome.

Also, use thick solder too. I noticed with thick solder it pools a lot faster than thin solder.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Alex K

[Cashdollar2009]

Generally that type of insulation gets real weak and can only handle so much heat transfer.

Good 'ole soldering iron did the trick for me.

[Ji553r]

yepp yepp. if you keep it hot too long it's just going to go further and further down in the wire. Take it slow and you'll be 10x more pleased with the outcome.

Also, use thick solder too. I noticed with thick solder it pools a lot faster than thin solder.

i have the 1.32 solder things from walmart lol i did notice as soon as the torch touched the wire instantly soaked it all up....where would be the best place for some solder with gerth??

[Alex K]

sure if you have a nice iron. But i know the little 10$ ones won't do jack shit. They blob solder into tiny balls and it looks like shit. Better with a torch

[Alex K]

i have the 1.32 solder things from walmart lol i did notice as soon as the torch touched the wire instantly soaked it all up....where would be the best place for some solder with gerth??

Lowes or home depot.