Proper soldering technique.

[sharkythesharkdogg]

NCG wanted a quick guide on how to do this, and it's too long for a visitor message. So here you go!

EDIT: Anyone who says to use crimp connectors can eat my ass with a spoon.

You'll need http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280357.jpg (cheap), http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280356.jpg (fairly cheap), http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280358.jpg (cheap), a lighter to heat up the shrink tubing (cheap), and http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280355.jpg. (Sorta pricey, so try to see if you can borrow one.) You might also need a small file, but it's not necessary if you're careful.

Optional items are http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280359.jpg and http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280360.jpg. Flux helps the solder flow and melt and you know what electrical tape does. These are optional as the heat shrink replaces the electrical tape and the solder I'm recommending has the flux made into it.

Make sure the solder is for wiring and not for copper piping. Go to a RadioShack or the equivalent and purchase the 60/40 blend rosin core solder. DON'T get the 40/60 blend. It's crap, and wont' flow properly, and is just basically awful.

You'll start one wire at a time. Locate the proper wire coming from your car that attaches to the same wire in your new harness. We'll pretend these yellow wires are in your car. One end is attached to the new harness, and the other is in your car. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280361.jpg Take the wire strippers, and strip the ends of each wire. 2 Pics. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280362.jpg http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280364.jpg You'll note that the wire strippers have different size holes in the jaws for different gauge wires. Make sure you're only removing the rubber insulation around the wire and leaving the wiring inside.

Now cut a piece of heat shrink and slide it over one of the wires. Move it at least a few inches away from the end of the wire because soldering is hot, and the heat shrink will shrink before you want it to. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280365.jpg

You'll notice the exposed wires are actually many tiny wires wound together. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280364.jpg Unwind them and fan them out. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280366.jpg Now take both wires with the fanned out ends and weave those ends together. 2 Pics.
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280367.jpg
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280368.jpg


Take the soldering gun and heat up the wires at the new joint you've made. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280369.jpg Once it's hot enough, with the gun still there, begin applying solder. It should melt and flow into the wiring. Once it's thoroughly soldered remove the gun and give it about 20 seconds or so to cool down.

Check the joint for any sharp edges. File those off and make sure the joint is nice and smooth. (If you're careful how you weave the wires together, you can avoid those sharp protrusions.)

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280372.jpg

Now you're ready to slide the piece of heat shrink over the new joint. Heat it with a lighter until it shrinks and seals around the new joint. http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280374.jpg

Heat shrink is superior to electrical tape in this application as it seals more tightly around the joint. They both keep out moisture, protect the wiring from shorting out, and give the soldered joint reinforcement.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/sharkythesharkdogg/Quick%20Soldering%20Guide/PC280376.jpg

Make sure the new joint is fully covered by the heat shrink and move onto the next wire.

[Shlup]

I want pictures.

[CimminyCricket]

So far I feel like I want to go out and buy heat shrink to play around with.


Here kitty kitty.

[NorthernChaosGod]

Pictures would definitely be useful. And thanks, Joe! :monster:

EDIT: 13,000th post. :cool:

[fire_of_avalon]

Use crimp connectors.

http://www.sporga.net/legolas/images/129spoon.jpg

[sharkythesharkdogg]

It even has a massive butt cherry. You thought of everything.



Also, I hope your car suffers a wiring fire from crummy connections.

[fire_of_avalon]

I'll just whine at you until you tell me how to fix it.

EDIT: My actual favorite part of that picture is the cardboard cutout of Legolas. wtf.

[NorthernChaosGod]

MegaPow and Joe for cutest couple 2012.

[Jiro]

I think we should sticky this in the help forum or something.

[CimminyCricket]

I wish I could get a live size cardboard cut out of Legolas.

[Pike]

I think we should sticky this in the help forum or something.

We should make a DIY subforum.

It would be filled with legit posts by Sharky, and a bunch of "I have three paperclips, a rubber band and a Wiimote, how do I make my light turn on/off when I clap" posts by everyone else.

[NorthernChaosGod]

And then he just tells you to buy a Clapper because he's tired of MacGyvering all our shit.

[chionos]

And then he just tells you to buy a Clapper because he's tired of MacGyvering all our shit.

MacGyver never gets tired of MacGyvering and sharky never gets tired of sharking. Let him MacGyver all our shits.

[Jiro]

You know I actually like that. Maybe we should do this. If I had admin powers I would make a DIY subforum in help.

(hint hint: you guys gotta help me get promoted or fired)

[sharkythesharkdogg]

Now with more pictures.

[CimminyCricket]

I'm really impressed with how well this is all done, keep up the good work C:

[sharkythesharkdogg]

Thanks Cim. Good to know it came across clearly.

If Jiro creates a DIY section I'll be glad to contribute little threads like this. I think a lot of people (like 0_o and Kotora) have lots of knowledge to share as well. It might be a nice addition.

[fire_of_avalon]

'tora's banned, baby. 'tora's banned.

I could contribute to the DIY forum! I could tell people how to electrocute themselves, burn themselves, cut themselves. I could be the "Bad Idea" of our Good Idea/Bad Idea.

[Pike]

I'd like to pretend I could contribute but any of my knowledge of DIY stems from working in a hardware store for a year. Which... isn't a lot.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SOCKETS

I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT SOCKETS

I WILL SIX POINT THE HELL OUT OF YOUR TWELVE POINT

[NorthernChaosGod]

I can help with music related questions. :greenie:

Thanks, Joe! The pictures really help clarify everything so I have less of a chance to fuck anything up.

[sharkythesharkdogg]

'tora's banned, baby. 'tora's banned.

I could contribute to the DIY forum! I could tell people how to electrocute themselves, burn themselves, cut themselves. I could be the "Bad Idea" of our Good Idea/Bad Idea.

Is what he did public knowledge, or top secret?

[Tigmafuzz]

Directions?
http://thelaughbag.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/funny-dog-pictures-fold-dog-couch-directions.jpg