How To Solder Braid

[tsmsoccer 24]

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with soldering magabraid to wire.

 

Refer to the picture I am currently using Alligator clips to connect power for each lane to the track.

While it works fine I do not have any need to disconnect and reconnect the alligator clips so was thinking I should have a more permanent connection.

 

Anyone have any success connecting the power wires directly to braid.

From the pic you can see the alligator clips currently clip directly yo each lane

 

Thanks

Charlie

[ZeGas 71]

How about spade clips?

 

You can clamp to magnabraid and solder if you want and same with wire.

 

I use a flux pen before soldering, it helps heaps

[SlotsNZ 183]

I usually bring the tails down under the track, staple them to the track, then the wires from the controller station to that.

With a decent strong staple gun they are locked in good and tight.

[Vinno 159]

I use good sized bp connectors they clamp up nice and tight.

[munter 165]

Chocolate box connectors? is that what these are called?

 

1/4" braid goes through easily

[Garry J 24]

terminal strip

[SlotsNZ 183]

Chocolate box connectors? is that what these are called?

 

Yeah they are, and it deeply upsets me - they taste awful, and the screws get stuck in my teeth

[Drifter 33]

To solder to braid, I find this works well....

 

1. Use a soldering iron with a large tip.

 

2. If it has temperature control, turn it up ~20 degrees C

 

3. Put a non residue flux on the braid, don't be shy. It aids with heat transfer as well as oxidisation.

 

4. Tin the wire you are going to solder on to the braid.

 

5. Load the tip of the iron with solder so when you make contact with the braid there is some stored heat in the solder and it helps heat transfer. The braid will absorb a lot of heat from the iron ( because that hat copper does), so when you put the iron on the braid wait about 5 secs for the iron's temperature to recover. At this point start feeding a little more solder in until you have a small molten pool.

 

6.Bring your pretinned wire in, and place it in the pool. Hold in place with a screwdriver etc. and take the iron away allowing it all to cool.

 

7. Doing this from underneath a table / track is very hard.

[munter 165]

Good explanation Drifter. Soldering upside down isn’t easy hence the chocolate block solution.

 

 

Eye protection is recommended.

[aussieslotter 145]

Solder if possible. It’s cheaper and fail proof.

Edited February 6, 2020 by aussieslotter

[32coupe 21]

I use standard 240v fitings, the kind most electricians use, you can get them at bunnings.

[munter 165]

and fail proof.

.... ever heard of a dry solder joint?

 

I had to edit that as I left out the word solder and I didn't want any ambiguity creeping in.

Edited February 6, 2020 by munter

[Drifter 33]

Good point munter....

Step 8. Once cooled apply force to the wire, about the same as you would tying a shoelace to test you have a good solder joint.

[tsmsoccer 24]

Thanks for the tips all I managed to solder the wire and braid following the tips provided

 

[aussieslotter 145]

and fail proof.

.... ever heard of a dry solder joint?

 

I had to edit that as I left out the word solder and I didn't want any ambiguity creeping in.

Well some people can’t solder and some can’t even use a screw driver. Take your pick.

 

BTW it’s called a cold solder joint.

Edited February 7, 2020 by aussieslotter

[munter 165]

Both terms are used

[dangermouse 111]

Your not mixing solder and shoulder are you - LOL

 

dry and cold solder joints are the same thing - maybe those south of the border use 'cold' but us tropical folk and it seems those across the ditch call it a dry solder joint I had to look up cold solder joint never heard that before - probably like flannel and washer or bathers and togs......

[munter 165]

What are you shaying DM?