Newbie questions for electrical connections

I’m slow, not very experienced, but some days I pay attention. After reading posts the last few months it sounds like using solder is the best method for joining electrical wires.

Never done it, where’s a good place to buy what I need? Will also need to be buying more wire and a few other things like inline fuses. Hoping the recommendation will work for both.

Picked up my new to me boat yesterday and already making a few changes. Need to run more power to the console. First order of business is to hook up an Onix 8. Sounds like getting clean power can prevent issues. Longer term I want to hook up a DC charger. Trying to do as much as I can the best way on the first try.

This kit will get you started, remember to use heat shrink also.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200659194_200659194?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Welding%20%3E%20Welding%20Tools,%20Clamps%20%2B%20Safety%20Equipment&utm_campaign=Northern%20Industrial%20Tools&utm_content=62860&cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=google_PLA&utm_campaign=&mkwid=s5hh5ohgy&pcrid=39155627516&devicetype=c&gclid=COOSt5fD4s8CFQ6MaQod4MIGqw

I fish a lot of small carry in lakes-I’ve had my trailer wires cut intentionally twice! Fishing was great on both days. Got some good tips here for next time I get snipped.

Beside to tin the bare wires first before you solder them together they will take to each other better.

the best advice I can give you is this,do not use acid core solder on marine wiring,instead use rosin core,the acid types acid will wick down the wire and corrode it a long time after you are done.
you can buy pre-tinned wiring for marine use,or stainless steel wire which is more expensive than the pre-tinned stuff,either is fine.

dont use too much heat,you will weaken the wire and connector,just enough heat to melt the solder into the joint,and then let it cool as you can fracture the solder joint if cooled too fast, or moved too soon, practice makes perfect.

if the wiring is going to be in a vibration prone area,ie,next to the motor,dont solder those connections,instead crimp those connections using the better crimp type connectors,why? a solder joint is rigid and it will break at the solder joint where a crimped joint wont.

as mentioned,use heat shrink over each connection,and if you have two or more wires in the same loom,slide a lager piece over the wires and shrink that up as a bundle,this way you can keep track of what each wire goes to if they run a gauge or sensor or go to the same area,no loose wires that you have to rely on your memory to figure out where they go.

get yourself some already numbered tags to put on each wire and right down in a log book or your owners manual as to where each wire goes,most parts stores carry these tags,this makes it much easier on you down the road if and when you need to change something.

everybody does it different,but this has served me well for many years.
good luck with it and try not to burn yourself.

Iowaboy1 wrote:

the best advice I can give you is this,do not use acid core solder on marine wiring,instead use rosin core,the acid types acid will wick down the wire and corrode it a long time after you are done.
you can buy pre-tinned wiring for marine use,or stainless steel wire which is more expensive than the pre-tinned stuff,either is fine.

dont use too much heat,you will weaken the wire and connector,just enough heat to melt the solder into the joint,and then let it cool as you can fracture the solder joint if cooled too fast, or moved too soon, practice makes perfect.

if the wiring is going to be in a vibration prone area,ie,next to the motor,dont solder those connections,instead crimp those connections using the better crimp type connectors,why? a solder joint is rigid and it will break at the solder joint where a crimped joint wont.

as mentioned,use heat shrink over each connection,and if you have two or more wires in the same loom,slide a lager piece over the wires and shrink that up as a bundle,this way you can keep track of what each wire goes to if they run a gauge or sensor or go to the same area,no loose wires that you have to rely on your memory to figure out where they go.

get yourself some already numbered tags to put on each wire and right down in a log book or your owners manual as to where each wire goes,most parts stores carry these tags,this makes it much easier on you down the road if and when you need to change something.

everybody does it different,but this has served me well for many years.
good luck with it and try not to burn yourself.

Great advice!

Super weird thing, this topic split into two threads. there’s one a little farther down the board with more great advice. Between that thread, this one, and some youtube I think I’m headed in the right direction. Hopefully have my new depthfinder running by tomorrow afternoon.

I took some of that advice and ordered pre-tinned wire from the suggested vendor. Good prices, place the order at night, and was shipped at noon the next day. https://tinnedmarinewire.com/wire/

Iowaboy1 wrote:

get yourself some already numbered tags to put on each wire and right down in a log book or your owners manual as to where each wire goes,most parts stores carry these tags,this makes it much easier on you down the road if and when you need to change something.

Was thinking along these lines about some type of labeling so they aren’t mystery wires. Good point.