I have to add a couple of things here.
Crimp connectors are a better connection that a soldered connections (if you don't belive it just ask what the aircraft industry uses).
The Speakon connectors I buy come with the spade connectors and they do fit. You jst can't connect two wires to a Speakon terminal that way.
Leland has the right idea for soldering. Its a matter of practice.
I have one soldering iron. Its a 25W mains powered unit (I don't think it even has a temp controller) with a 1 mm (1/32 inch) tip. Something that you but from Radio Shack I guess.
I use it to solder everything from Speakon connectors, 1/4 inch jacks, wires, down to 603 size Surface mount devices. And I never use those heatsink clamps.
With some practice you get a feel for how long it takes to heat the parts (not long).
The idea is to heat the parts and then apply (touch) the solder . Sometimes for plated items I pretin the parts, but not often.
Its been a long time since I melted a component from too much heat.
Once you get the skill it never goes away.
Robert
Soldering to small tab on a socket? (NLJ2MD-V)
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i_got_a_mohawk
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:37 pm
The speakon connectors i got dont have any spade connectors tho.
Also, i think you would be hard pushed to proove that crimp connectors give a better connection, solder may not be the most conductive material, but when using a crimp, the actual connection area is much much much lower than that of a soldered joint, it really is, just a fact of science and the fact that no surface is actually flat, using a liquid allows for a fuller connection.
Crimps are often used as they do provide a satisfactory connection, that doesnt make it better than a soldered joint, the main reason crimps are used is they are easier to connect, and easier to remove and change etc.
Also, i think you would be hard pushed to proove that crimp connectors give a better connection, solder may not be the most conductive material, but when using a crimp, the actual connection area is much much much lower than that of a soldered joint, it really is, just a fact of science and the fact that no surface is actually flat, using a liquid allows for a fuller connection.
Crimps are often used as they do provide a satisfactory connection, that doesnt make it better than a soldered joint, the main reason crimps are used is they are easier to connect, and easier to remove and change etc.
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Sydney
Indeed mechanical connectors speedup assembly ( on a production line ) & allow for quicker replacement - but a soldered ( fused metal ) is superior in strength & conductivity.
I worked in a plant that manufactured avionic instrumentation. Internal assemblies were soldered, These assemblies had to have mechanical connections & because of the rigors of flight & vibration, they had to be easily replaceable. There was redundancy & no spade lugs.
I avoid mechanical connection inside a speaker cabinet ( "whole lot of shakin' goin on" - Sorry ). In low light I have seen micro-arcing between loose spade lugs and terminals & I know I've heard the "grit" that a less than perfect mechanical connection introduces (esp in the tweeter connection) vs a soldered joint.
From a chemistry standpoint I've been told the layers of metal oxides on the surfaces of connectors form "microdiodes" and pockets of high & low resistance.
If you have to use mechanical connections, I strongly suggest you clean metal surfaces with Cramolin contact cleaners.
I try to schedule periodic cleaning of all metal to metal connections w Cramolin. You will be shocked @ the amount of oxides & contaminates that come off BRAND NEW metal & if you take your gear to smoky bars - Tar & Nicotine is nasty sticky stuff.
I worked in a plant that manufactured avionic instrumentation. Internal assemblies were soldered, These assemblies had to have mechanical connections & because of the rigors of flight & vibration, they had to be easily replaceable. There was redundancy & no spade lugs.
I avoid mechanical connection inside a speaker cabinet ( "whole lot of shakin' goin on" - Sorry ). In low light I have seen micro-arcing between loose spade lugs and terminals & I know I've heard the "grit" that a less than perfect mechanical connection introduces (esp in the tweeter connection) vs a soldered joint.
From a chemistry standpoint I've been told the layers of metal oxides on the surfaces of connectors form "microdiodes" and pockets of high & low resistance.
If you have to use mechanical connections, I strongly suggest you clean metal surfaces with Cramolin contact cleaners.
I try to schedule periodic cleaning of all metal to metal connections w Cramolin. You will be shocked @ the amount of oxides & contaminates that come off BRAND NEW metal & if you take your gear to smoky bars - Tar & Nicotine is nasty sticky stuff.