Tinning the speaker wire

[Shadow_Ferret]

OK, my 12 gauge speaker wire arrived, I'm running the cable through the ceiling tiles to where I have my in-ceiling rears, and I'm tinning the ends of the wires.

I'm going to be putting banana plugs on the ends, also. After you've inserted the wire, tightened the screw, snipped the excess... does it make any sense to then also solder the connection to the plug? Will this improve the connection or is it an unnecessary step and a waste of solder?

 

[markw]

I wouldn't.

 

[j_garcia]

Completely unnecessary.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Thanks.

And do not buy Radio Shack banana plugs. Luckily, I only bought 1 pair because I had miscounted when I ordered my original set. But instead of inserting the wire into the side and then screwing it down, this one inserts through the back, then you "supposedly" screw it in. and somehow its supposed to stay there instead of falling out of the hole. Well, maybe that works with bare wires, maybe you are supposed to fold the ends of the wire strands over the part that screws in thus securing the wire, but if you tin the wires, all it does it push the wire back out.

 

[markw]

You shouldn't tin the wires when using these screw type plugs. It pretty much guarantees a poor connection.

You are supposed to twist the bare wires together and then insert it into the hole. Then, when you tighten down the screw, the mallability of the soft copper allows it to be compressed under the screw, thereby forming a tight, gas-free connection.

 

[Midcow2]

waste of solder to tin banana connections

OK, my 12 gauge speaker wire arrived, I'm running the cable through the ceiling tiles to where I have my in-ceiling rears, and I'm tinning the ends of the wires.

I'm going to be putting banana plugs on the ends, also. After you've inserted the wire, tightened the screw, snipped the excess... does it make any sense to then also solder the connection to the plug? Will this improve the connection or is it an unnecessary step and a waste of solder?

don't tin if you are going to use banana plugs. Monocable has pretty good price on some good banana plugs: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2


also "how to tin"

1. Heat the wire with the soldering iron, not the solder.
2. Touch the hot wire to the rosin core solder (do not use acid core solder).
3. Let the wire suck up the solder.
4. Let cool.
5. Check and trim any excess solder.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Monoprice is where I ordered the plugs and the speaker wire. I just have bad math skills.

 

[itschris]

When making my cables just recently, I tinned my first set and used the locking banannas from BlueJean. I went to try them out since it was my first try at cables and I had all kinds of problems. The sound kept going in and out if you touched the cable. I thought I did something wrong, so I snipped them up and tried again but didn't tin the bare wire. Everything worked fine after that. Take it for what it's worth, but I finished all my cables just as they were and things seem to sound just fine.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Not sure why tinning would cause a bad connection, solder is conductive, too. and probably as malleable as the copper itself.

I plugged everything in last night and it works perfectly.

And I only got one wire splinter.

 

[jaydog67]

no need to solder

I agree with al of the above... a waste of time.

 

[jneutron]

Not sure why tinning would cause a bad connection, solder is conductive, too. and probably as malleable as the copper itself.

I plugged everything in last night and it works perfectly.

And I only got one wire splinter.

The solder creeps under pressure. If you tin the ends and tighten the screw down, the pressure on the tinned wire will reduce over time.

Never tin wires that are to be held by a screw. This applies to using the head of the screw, or the tip.

John

 

[Altec]

OK, my 12 gauge speaker wire arrived, I'm running the cable through the ceiling tiles to where I have my in-ceiling rears, and I'm tinning the ends of the wires.

I'm going to be putting banana plugs on the ends, also. After you've inserted the wire, tightened the screw, snipped the excess... does it make any sense to then also solder the connection to the plug? Will this improve the connection or is it an unnecessary step and a waste of solder?

How do you like your Earthquake FF-12 Sub anyway? Thanks mate.

 

[Alex2507]

I'm not sure where but I have read that tinning the wire is a bad idea. I can't even remember why it's a bad idea. All I needed to know was not to do it and that was fine with me. Who needs the extra work anyway?

 

[talmazor]

If tinning the wire is a waste of time, what about the use of a banana plug? Couldn't you assume that less "stuff" between the component and the wire would be the best way to go. You're relying on the banana plug connection to be a good one, why not skip it all together?

 

[Alex2507]

If tinning the wire is a waste of time, what about the use of a banana plug? Couldn't you assume that less "stuff" between the component and the wire would be the best way to go. You're relying on the banana plug connection to be a good one, why not skip it all together?

Tinning the wire is a bad idea, that is beyond being a waste of time. Like I said, I forget why. Banana plugs offer convenience and the locking ones from BJC offer a great connection.