Soldering trolling motor wire terminals - what type of solder and how?

[zero_cool]

Got a new trolling motor and am prepping for installation. I have read that soldering the wires to the terminals is recommended due to vibration.

What type of solder is needed? I see rosin core, plumbing, lead free, etc.

What method is best for adhesion? Terminals have a small "cup" that wire sits in. Do I cut some solder, fill the "cup" halfway, hild the terminal with some pliers, heat the terminal end to melt the solder and insert the wire into the molten solder?

Or do I insert the wire, crimp the heavy terminal and than add solder into/around the spaces?

[kcinnick]

Where is it recommended to solder due to vibration?

[kcinnick]

What method is best for adhesion? Terminals have a small "cup" that wire sits in. Do I cut some solder, fill the "cup" halfway, hild the terminal with some pliers, heat the terminal end to melt the solder and insert the wire into the molten solder?

Get off of Youtube! That is the ghetto way to make a "clean" looking joint that sucks.

Get proper crimping tools for your sized wire and terminal. Use quality terminals, I have a mix of FTZ and NSPA that hold well. Oh, and get proper double wall marine adhesive heat shrink tubing.

[zero_cool]

So no need to solder them?

That would make it easier.

And yes, it was YouTube where the recommendation was from.

Also, the installation manual for the TM says to "solder/crimp".

[MCIPinkie]

If you don't have the proper tools, or skills, to make 6 ga or so wire splices, you can order cables pre-made from several places. When I upgraded from 24 to 36v, I just ordered my jumpers pre-made. Need to be sure a quality supplier, making marine jumpers. No problems. Obviously accurate measurements required.

No, I can't remember where I got them. Too long ago. I would imagine several places in the Memphis area that would make for you also. Crimpers that will crimp 6 ga wire properly are expensive. Too expensive to buy if you're only going use them once or twice.

[kcinnick]

Bestboatwire.com

If you don't want to buy the tools they will make a set for you.

[DiawaKid]

Here is what I don't understand about all of you guys and the big wire... Get a clue, the wire from the Depth finders is 20-24 gauge.... Learn to connect your terminals correctly and this includes solder after you crimp. I've been in electronics my whole life and laugh at the use of 10 to gauge wire directly to the Battery. Sufficient battery and correct connections do not mean to run directly to the dang Battery and have 4 to 8 lugs on a cranking battery... Just so stupid.

[yupitsme]

Here is what I don't understand about all of you guys and the big wire... Get a clue, the wire from the Depth finders is 20-24 gauge.... Learn to connect your terminals correctly and this includes solder after you crimp. I've been in electronics my whole life and laugh at the use of 10 to gauge wire directly to the Battery. Sufficient battery and correct connections do not mean to run directly to the dang Battery and have 4 to 8 lugs on a cranking battery... Just so stupid.

You may well have been in electronics your whole life but you have not been involved in marine electronics your whole life - and it shows.

[zero_cool]

So if I understand correctly, I can crimp the 8 awg wires from the trolling motor into the proper marine grade terminals and that would be fine. Soldering is not required.

Thank you.

[fishnfireman]

So if I understand correctly, I can crimp the 8 awg wires from the trolling motor into the proper marine grade terminals and that would be fine. Soldering is not required.

Thank you.

It's worked fine for many of us. I do add marine grade shrink tubing or buy the marine grade terminals with them--- IF you can find them.

[tandrew]

It's worked fine for many of us. I do add marine grade shrink tubing or buy the marine grade terminals with them--- IF you can find them.

bestboatwire.com sells both.

[kcinnick]

Here is what I don't understand about all of you guys and the big wire... Get a clue, the wire from the Depth finders is 20-24 gauge.... Learn to connect your terminals correctly and this includes solder after you crimp. I've been in electronics my whole life and laugh at the use of 10 to gauge wire directly to the Battery. Sufficient battery and correct connections do not mean to run directly to the dang Battery and have 4 to 8 lugs on a cranking battery... Just so stupid.

Yeah, good luck running a TM on a 20-24 gauge wire, and you don't solder after you crimp, you don't need to solder anything other than an antenna connection on a boat.

[kcinnick]

So if I understand correctly, I can crimp the 8 awg wires from the trolling motor into the proper marine grade terminals and that would be fine. Soldering is not required.

Thank you.

Make sure you can properly crimp 8 gauge before you buy 8 gauge components or just get them premade by bestboatwire. I am all for DIY but a proper crimp tool for 6 gauge on up is $150 (FTZ correct crimp), I haven't found anything suitable for 8 gauge, if this is all you are doing then it might be cheaper to get premade wires. I like tools so I got the FTZ crimp tool and I am doing a lot more than installing a TM, plus I am sure I will do stuff for other people.

[zero_cool]

The terminals will be for the wires coming out of the trolling motor. Supplied new from the factory there are no connections, just the wire with a little bit of the jacket removed. These will then be connected to the existing battery wiring via a junction. I am not sure how ordering a harness or premade connections is going to change my need to crimp something onto the bare trolling motor wires?

[kcinnick]

The terminals will be for the wires coming out of the trolling motor. Supplied new from the factory there are no connections, just the wire with a little bit of the jacket removed. These will then be connected to the existing battery wiring via a junction. I am not sure how ordering a harness or premade connections is going to change my need to crimp something onto the bare trolling motor wires?

Ah, I thought you were running power to the battery! I'd install a plug and attach them to the plug. Marinco plugs the wire is attached by a set screw and you don't have to crimp or solder anything.

[rangerguyz21]

I soldered mine,, not a problem in over 25 years

[Grizzly]

I used to work on power plan simulators a long time ago. These were portable units that would be dragged all over the country. We would first crimp and then solder the connections. We did this because the vibration would work the crimped connections loose over time. If you solder the connection after crimping it will never come loose.

[njbasscat]

I purchased a hydraulic crimp tool from Harbor Freight for $65.00. It will crimp from 0 to 14 AWG wire. I wouldn't try to crimp ring terminals or connectors 8 AWG or larger without a hydraulic tool. I also use heat shrink tubing.

[catdude28]

Ah, I thought you were running power to the battery! I'd install a plug and attach them to the plug. Marinco plugs the wire is attached by a set screw and you don't have to crimp or solder anything.

^^^^^^ This. Optionally, hardwire it behind your bow panel. You can use your existing receptacle as a bus bar. Most motors will then require a cut off in the battery tray so you can then disconnect while charging.

[bloodman]

bestboatwire.com sells both.

Thanks for that link. Custom cables made easy!!