Headlight relays, soldering question

[Kent McLean]

TWFAUST at aol.com wrote:
> I heat the wires until the "legs" on my gun get red, but I can't 
> get the solder to flow. Is there a special tip for wires this size? 
> What solder should I be using? 

I'm a big fan of ratcheting crimpers and *good* connectors.
I got one, part number 22-770, from MCM Electronics a few
years ago that has served me well:
<http://mcm.newark.com/NewarkWebCommerce/mcm/en_US/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=22-770&N=4>

That said, red hot should be hot enough.  You want to heat
the wires before applying the solder, so that the solder
melts and flows into the hot wires.  If you just melt the
solder on the hot iron, and hope it adheres to the cold
wires, you'll have a "cold" joint and it will fail.

For solder, you want the kind for electrical wiring: rosin
core solder. Acid core solder is bad for wiring.

--
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke
'56 Austin-Healey 100 BN2, for sale