well i like to use crimps because they offer less resistance..... wtf you say!!! well we did a small test at the bay by taking a 2 inch piece of solder and a butt connecter and metered resistance across both of them..... test equipment was a fluke 82 meter and well the results were interesting try and you will see....... and dukk is bang on.... proper use of a crimp tool and a solder iron can yeild desired results if used right... they both have a place in car audio, just know what you are doing....and dont hire shilo! or eric !!

 

I agree that for speaker push on terminals, if one does not ensure the terminal engages the stake tightly, it may vibrate off. In the past I have put a spot of hotglue on the terminal/stake after the terminal is on to prevent this.

 

Not sure if that is an accurate test, the solder is not used as the wire. Its used to hold two wires together. If you join two wires together then solder it to hold it together. And then take two wires connected with a butt connector and then cut them both down to 2 inches and then do your test. That would be more accurate. I think you will find there is next to no difference.

 

I agree with everone,lol. Soldier is best in my opinion if your good at it, if not you make a mess, burn wires, or coldsoldier joints, or, or , or. So if you're inexperienced with the soldering iron then butt-splice away. I'm an electrician in the automotive industry and extremely hightech robots come with cables that are sometimes soldiered and sometimes crimped. They both work. Just my 2 cents.

 

last time i did butt connectors, i used a set of those aligator grip pliers, and they have not come apart. you know the ones that after they get anouh pressure applied to them they will snap and kind of lock down tighter.
those de a really nice job, it seemed to like meld the wire and connector togeather, and when i tested the strength the wire broke before the butt connector did.
it was only 18 guage wire.

and like everyone else is saying, it really is a matter of skill level and personal preference.

 

I always solder. The only time I use connectors is when I attach a ground lug or a fuse tap...and even then I crimp then solder

 

I agree with Smartass . . . But I'll say it more emphatically:
That is NOT an accurate Test!
As smartass already mentioned, the purpose of the solder is to hold together an existing connection. Solder does not need to be conductive. In all soldering applications the connection should be made first, then solder applied to give strength to the connection. The fact that solder DOES conduct can be seen as an added benefit.

I'll be so bold to say that IF there is a difference between a solder connection and a butt conection I believe that the Butt conection will have marginally higher resistance.

Testing the resistance of 2" of solder to determine eletrical flow can be compared to:
Testing the strength of tire lugs to determine how well the tire will grip the road.
Yup, the tire lugs are important for the permance of the tire- because the tire won't perform if it falls off, but the lugs aren't going to change the grip of the tire.

 

Hi Folks,

First post, and super newb here. I'm slowly gathering all the necessary parts together to do an HU upgrade.

How about the use of Marrettes to connect 2 wires (HU harness to Custom factory harness)? I belive Marrettes twist the wires together but no crimping is required.

 

Fine for house wiring, not the thing for use in a car - stick with crimps/solder.

Cheers,
--
Terry McG

 

You don't want to use marrettes because as the vehicle vibrates, they will untwist, get loose and fall off.

Judging by your name, I'd say you drive a Matrix. Let me know what you've got for a system in there as you work on it. I'm in an 06 Matrix TRD edition. 5speed of course.