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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: de dee on November 19, 2014, 11:47:25 PM

Title: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: de dee on November 19, 2014, 11:47:25 PM
  I have been trying to attach wires to led light strip,  how hot do you get the wire to get it to solder to gether,. do you use flux ,.  do you put more solder on the wire,  thanks for any help,. 
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: zombie on November 20, 2014, 12:30:32 AM
You HAVE to use flux on everything you solder. The solder will not stick without it. I also use a razor blade to lightly scrape the wire. Most wire has a coating on it from the extrusion die that is similar to plastic, and solder will roll right off of it. The thinner the wire the more of that coating there is.
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: BettinANDlosing on November 20, 2014, 03:32:12 AM
Also important to pre "tin" both wires. Solder both wires slightly before connecting, then you can just apply a little heat and boom they melt together. This is after applying flux to both wires like zombie said. Honesty soldering takes a lot of practice to not get pissed while doing it. If you find yourself doing it a lot, one of the best irons I've found is a butane powered one i got at home depot for like $20 plus butane. Heats quickly and way more temperature control.
http://m.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Torches-Soldering-Irons/Bernzomatic/N-5yc1vZbqmdZ91 (http://m.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Torches-Soldering-Irons/Bernzomatic/N-5yc1vZbqmdZ91)
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: zombie on November 20, 2014, 03:39:29 AM
DeeDee shouldn't be playing w/ matches B&L. It's bad enough he is messing w/ electrical thingy. ;D
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: BettinANDlosing on November 20, 2014, 03:43:36 AM
Lol then he's GOTTA get the high pressure flamethrower one!
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: zombie on November 20, 2014, 03:45:59 AM
Oh Hell no!

He'll take out the whole South Side!!!
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: MooseMax on November 20, 2014, 06:34:35 AM
  I have been trying to attach wires to led light strip,

A simpler and reliable method is to use twist-on wire connectors ("wire nuts"), from any auto parts or hardware store.  Instructions for using them are here:

http://youtu.be/32z6Q8--fEM?t=22s (http://youtu.be/32z6Q8--fEM?t=22s)
They are color-coded by the size of the wire gauge.  Gray or blue are probably the right size, at least in the US & Canada.
Instead of electrical tape, a stronger connection can be made with heat shrink tubing. This vid explains how.. along with everything you could possibly want to know about crimping connections:

 http://youtu.be/kjSGCSwNuAg (http://youtu.be/kjSGCSwNuAg)

Whatever you do, post pics of the lights when you're done!
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: zombie on November 20, 2014, 07:17:14 AM
Nice job Moose!
I love forums...
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: BettinANDlosing on November 20, 2014, 07:43:39 AM
Also a cool product that I love using splice connectors
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0041PF5QY/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/190-7510042-4580442 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0041PF5QY/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/190-7510042-4580442)
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: zombie on November 20, 2014, 07:24:30 PM
B&L... Those things SUCK! They are good for "road side" type repairs but blow monkeys for permanent repairs. Every single electrical repair job I get involved in seem to have one or more of those connectors involved.

For a quick fix or testing a circuit ok.I've used thousands of them... Leave them installed, and they will fail.
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: de dee on November 21, 2014, 02:49:10 AM
A simpler and reliable method is to use twist-on wire connectors ("wire nuts"), from any auto parts or hardware store.  Instructions for using them are here:

http://youtu.be/32z6Q8--fEM?t=22s (http://youtu.be/32z6Q8--fEM?t=22s)
They are color-coded by the size of the wire gauge.  Gray or blue are probably the right size, at least in the US & Canada.
Instead of electrical tape, a stronger connection can be made with heat shrink tubing. This vid explains how.. along with everything you could possibly want to know about crimping connections:

 http://youtu.be/kjSGCSwNuAg (http://youtu.be/kjSGCSwNuAg)

Whatever you do, post pics of the lights when you're done!
  try and put a mar connector on a LED plastic strip with a little spot to solder too,.
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: BettinANDlosing on November 21, 2014, 03:42:07 AM
B&L... Those things SUCK! They are good for "road side" type repairs but blow monkeys for permanent repairs. Every single electrical repair job I get involved in seem to have one or more of those connectors involved.

For a quick fix or testing a circuit ok.I've used thousands of them... Leave them installed, and they will fail.

Yeah its a little ghetto and I'll always solder before those but for a quick clip and connect they rock. I've had them last years though. The Givi topcases come with them as the reconnected connector, hence fourth we call them givi connectors LOL. But yeah they do actually cut the wires ever so slightly, not ideal for space shuttle usage.
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: zombie on November 21, 2014, 04:14:29 AM
Yeah. I'm a space shuttle guy.
i learned working on boats that, people can/will die if the job is not 100% every single time. You can't exactly "pull over" and wait for help if your boat is on fire.
Title: Re: GLUE ON led lights,.(how to attach wires)
Post by: BettinANDlosing on November 21, 2014, 05:02:57 AM
You can't exactly pull over, but you sure can jump under(water) haha. My boss has a boat and i know what you mean, not fun paddling.