JohnVroom

... I need to back track a bit, solder is fine for use in AC or DC circuits but impractical and expensive compared to other connections. A high power application (commercial or even home) is certainly better served by a mechanical connection then by soldering as resistance is critical and a good mechanical crimp is very reliable.

I think in automotive signal carrying (RCA, and even many speaker usages) solder is the best solution when practical but for connecting 0 gauge power wire, for instance, mechanical connectors (ring connectors) are a better choice than solder. Personally I hate the compression fittings (tightening a screw to hold in a 0 gauge wire) on most car audio amps.

My original post is misleading and I overstated the value of solder in mating ALL AC and DC connections (it is amazing the things one can say in print... and not mean to say). I think Sikks answer was better thought out than mine and ExtremeDans statement was not as bad as I made it out to be.

xtremeDAN

i think that i might of been a bit misleading. or understood. i was not saying that it was a fact it was just something that i had heard a long time ago and the little bit of logic that i was told was enought to atleast keep it in my mind. i was just voicing a opion that i had heard and im glad that it was clarified. i have also heard that heat shrink is not as well of an insulator as electrical tape any one care to voice an opinion on that? in my mind it was always better to use electrical tape and if possible heat shrink afterwards to stop the tape from coming loose but that cant always be done is in a t connection so then a zip tie could be used for the same purpose.

sorry for the mis understanding.

Sikk Nation

iTrader: (1)

In the province of ontario, by law for any western union connection (the proper name for connecting 2 peices of wiring in-line) you must solder and use hear shrink OR use an approved crimp connector.

Pretty much all reputable shops will just solder the connection and tape it with high quality tape (i use 3m Temflex inside cars).

As for heat shrink having less insulating ability I doubt it. However the really thin crap quality stuff gets too rigid and can crack after it's been shrunk very easily.