Hot Buss terminals??

[Sea Wolf]

[mikeporterinmd]

Ancor makes a nice little lug press that you hit with a hammer in order
to crimp the lugs. Works from 6 on down to something large...

I went with the Blue Seas fuse box busses. The main buss can handle
up to 120 amps, I think. Each circuit coming off is fused. I have two
in the lazarette, one for house power and one that comes off the starting
battery, prior to the switch. This where I run the bildge pump from.

I have never figured out how to fuse the cables from the batteries to
the switch. I have very short (about 7") from the switches to the above
mentioned fuse blocks.

So, if a battery cable shorts, I have big problems. But, everything else
is protected. Does anyone make a good inline breaker so I could
have protection on the battery cables? What amperate should they
trip at? What current does the starter for a 90hp Honda use?

Mike

[Plan C]

A good crimp is probably adequate, but you can easily solder as well. I use a small Ronstan torch (WalMart) to heat the fitting and wire so the solder gets sucked in. That will fill some spaces.

Dave

[CAVU]

Everything I have read would indicate that all the connections should be crimped and not soldered? I think the reasoning is if the wire heats up it could melt the low temperature solder from the connection and cause arcing. I can't remember where I read this. Anyone know if there is a "rule" on this?

[Larry H]

Mike,

A fuse or breaker is NOT required on the battery cable to the starter motor. If you are concerned about a short, you could run that wire inside a sheath. As far as I know, no motor manufacturer uses a fuse in the battery cable from the starter motor to the battery. The current load is very large when the starter operates.

To see what that current can be, check your motor's owners manual for the cranking amps required from the battery. Marine batteries are rated for 'MCA' (marine cranking amps), that is amps available at 32 degrees F. Auto batteries are rated for 'CCA' (cold cranking amps), which is amps available at 0 degrees F.

Any fuse in the starter circuit would have to be large and expensive and if it failed, you might not be able to start your motor in an emergency.

[mikeporterinmd]

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Another reason to crimp is the chance of getting a cold solder joint between the wire and terminal connection. A cold joint would give a high resistance and hence a voltage drop at the point where it occurs.

Steve

[thataway]

The principle of not using solder on boats is generally a good one, but consider that many connections in electronics are soldered. I crimp all of the wires, from #6 up to #22, and occasionally solder smaller wires--and of course antennas. A skilled person should not get a cold solder joint. The solder in the heavy cables, is about preventing corrosion as well as contact. The crimp is made first (The Ancor crimper I mentioned is the one which can be hit with a hammer, or used with a vise or vise grip pliers.) The heating to melt solder should not happen at terminals--remember that the battery terminals are lead! The Nicro Press swage fittings may or may not be the correct size--but it can be useful at times. I have both size in the shop.

[AstoriaDave]

mikeporterinmd wrote: Having said that, I just got done soldering the tiny wires that from a GPS into an Icom 422. The wires on the Icom are coaxial and very small. Soldering these is really the only option. The resulting wad of tape I needed to ensure the wires don't flex and break is substantial.

Same radio, same connections, used same solution. I agree those smaller wires do not crimp well. Heat shrink tubing is a good alternative to tape. Used properly, it will protect the soldered part from flexure and practically eliminate any strain on the "hard spot".

Also agree that a cold solder joint is unlikely in smaller diameter wire. I do not solder anything larger than 16 ga wite, even though I earned a living in the days of NASA-certified (and inspected) wiring on modules for rocket gear. I know that if I do not solder regularly, I lose my touch.

[tsturm]