wire question

[imported_rusty]

when i strip back about a half inck of wire to soder how do i clean the wire first? the wire is black I hit it up a little with sandpaper and some came clean but not good enough to get the soder to flow.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: wire question

What kind of wire are you using? You said the wire is "black". That indicates to me it has a coating of some kind and will not take solder. You should not have to use flux of any sort on good copper wire. Use only rosin core solder for electrical work.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: wire question

I gather this is existing and not new wire you are talking about, right?
If so, the reason it is black is due to oxidization. You can try cutting it further back to see if you have clean copper, If not,you will need to replace the offending piece of oxidized wiring.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: wire question

agree with drifter.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: wire question

Rusty, If cutting the wire back is not an option, use some very fine sand paper to get as much of the corrosion off the strands as possible. Now smear some flux on the wire and use a large iron to heat and tin the wire.

Marine rade wire is pre-inned. In the future try to use it, where you have a choice.

 

[imported_rusty]

Re: wire question

it looks to be oixidied i cleaned off the wire really good with some fine sandpaper and it came up brand new and took the soder much better. thanks everyone

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: wire question

You have a clear case of oxidation. You still should not have any trouble soldering this wire if it is stranded. You need to make sure that on this tough solder job you do it by the book. Make sure your tip is as hot as you can get it, use a touch of sand paper on it and make sure it is clean. Now tin it with solder by getting a small blotch of it pre -heated on the tip. The idea behind soldering is to draw the solder through the wire to the hot tip. Put the hot tinned tip on one side, making sure that the tinning is against the wire. Now touch a piece of cold solder to the other side and apply pressure into the wire with it. As soon as the tinned side heats the wire, it will draw the cold piece of solder into the wire. If you have solid wire, don?t bother, it can be done but is very difficult.