Crimps are good if they are properly done with proper sized terminals and proper crimping tools for that type and size of terminal - there is no "one size fits all" crimping tool, and I believe there lies the problem with amateurs using crimped terminals - buying the proper crimping tool for each and every crimp terminal would be prohibitively expensive.
Yes, there are consumer grade "universal"crimping tools and terminals, but they grip the wire over only a short distance - professional crimps will make solid contact with the wire over a larger area, and will be a gas-tight connection where corrosion cannot get in. I believe soldering is a better alternative for amateur work. Soldering does have one disadvantage and that is solder will be wicked up the stranded wire for a small distance, AND if the wire is subject to vibration at that point, the wire will eventually break right where the wicked solder ends (under the insulation where that break cannot be immediately noticed). So in high vibration environments such as avionics, soldering is a definite "no-no", but at the home station installation where the wires are seldom moved, soldering should be just as good or better than properly crimped terminals. In your mobile installations, you might want to consider either crimping or supporting the wire for about 3 inches away from the soldered terminal. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/24/2012 7:55 PM, Hisashi T Fujinaka wrote: > What does the maritime industry use? Anyone work at Boeing who can tell > me why they (I think) crimp instead of solder? I thought I remembered > that it's because crimps are stronger over the long-term under > vibration. I could be making it all up. > > I'm just curious if there's a reason or if people are just talking for > the sake of talking. I've had lots more solder joints fail than crimps, > but I've had crimps fail too. > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
