tuned08ss

So do you guys recommend soldering or crimping the connections?

This is probably the first of many questions. Sorry in advance.

riceburner

iTrader: (66)

Most would recommend soldering; i used heat shrink crimp connections. better be good at either method though and do whatever you're better at.

looks like a ton of wires but if you have a color schematic to follow it's not that bad; rest of the install is fairly straight forward.

tuned08ss

I've never done either. Which is also why I haven't installed your Colo tails yet lol

riceburner

iTrader: (66)

I'd recommend finding an experienced buddy to help out then haha. SOLID, protected connections are very important to avoid shorts and such. there are a good 20 connections to make and it gets messy quick

Kolt

I recommend soldering and using weather tight heat shrink. Its what I do at work.

double clutch

iTrader: (1)

This is my preferred method also. That wont come apart if you do it right.

tuned08ss

Are there any problems with the eBay harness? Idc about the chimes.

Kolt

Couldn't tell you, personally I recommend getting kits from reputable companies and getting a interface module from a company that includes a good warranty. Ive seen a few times the interface fails and causes a plethora of electrical issues.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

What HU are you going to install?

tuned08ss

Its a pioneer double din I had in another car about 4 years ago. The harness I bought came with the dash kit and it was cheap so if anything i'll just use the dash kit.

tuned08ss

Just practiced soldering. Is there anyway to check if connections are good?

Kolt

lil messy but not bad. you are letting the two cable ends slide into one another right? kinda meshing the wires. a old school but good test is to try to rip it apart, if it rips the solder its no good, if it rips the wire elsewhere, you got a good solder joint

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I agree a bit messy but not much looks good man, with some practice you will get better for sure

tuned08ss

Yea I mesh the wires then twist. And as for getting it apart, yeah that wasn't happening. I literally tried to rip it apart and it wouldn't separate.

Oh and any tips for getting a cleaner solder joint?

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

I was showed to get the wire hot then place the solder on it for it to start melting onto the wire

Kolt

I used to do that as well but I found using a good high heat soldering iron to heat the solder as it flows onto the wire works better. I have trouble getting the wire hot enough without burning the insulation near the end. A good quality rosin core solder goes a long way as well. If I can twist the wires after meshing I do but not too tight, I like a lil free space as it works well to get the
solder to flow into the joint and up the wires.

once I get a good joint I clean it up by using the iron to wick away excess solder, bacically I flick the iron to get it clean (I haven't had good luck with the wet sponge wipe method), touch the joint and get some solder to flow back onto the tip, flick it again and do that a few times and ends up being a nice clean joint. Course I end up with solder spatters all over my floor lol. but that's what concrete is for

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Lol yeah its a tad hard to get the wire hot enough and usually takes a bit longer but it works really good

Kolt

Yea ive never been to good doing it that way. O/P it would be good to invest in a "Helping Hands". This is what I have a couple of to hold the wires together.

Helping Hands

I like it b/c you can detach the base and pretty much use it anywhere you need to.

tuned08ss

Those helping hands are exactly what I need. I was using a clip from a chip bag lol.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Lol hey anything that helps

heeter_33

Looks good to me. It might not look the best because you probably used more solder than you needed. But better than not using enough.

tuned08ss

Thanks heeter. Yea I figured I'd use more just in case. Plus it was my first try. I just gotta figure out the best way to hold the solder and soldering gun to the wire.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

if it doesn't work out you can always use crimp connections. butt connectors are "clean" but crimp caps are a better connection.

Im about 99% sure that i didnt solder the connections for my HU on my old car. With the exception of the ACC and illumination wire i had made myself