Hooking up an amp

[BobOstro61]

Whey you guys run your wire to the battery, do add any type of connector to the wire or just trim the plastic off the end and stick the bare wire right to the the battery terminal. I was trying that this morning but my car alarm kept going off so I gave up. Too early in the morning for that thing to be blaring like that.

[Mr. 9k9]

I just stripped back the plastic on my wires and connected straight to the battery, I was wondering the same thing though... there must be a better way.
DJ

[BobOstro61]

I was wondering if after time the copper strands get corroded and loose their connection or at least draw less power.

[RabidRobert]

Its best to use a connector, soldered would be best, but a crimp type is good. Bare wires are more susceptible to corrosion, and it usually doesn't take long for that to start. You can buy battery cable adapters that have a lug on them to accept eye connectors. That's what I'm using. (They can be found at any AutoZone or O'Rieleys part stores, for side or top posts, usually less than $10 bucks for two of them.)

[BobOstro61]

Thanks for the info. I'll look in to those.

[Mr RadioActive]

If you use eye loop type connectors make sure the connector has a good amt of surface area on it. Ive seen connectors that dont make much contact. Solder on type are the best as has been stated.

[birddog_01]

When a Buddy of mine and I stared in radios 20 years ago. We both ran 250 watts well he wanted more power so he bought a 400 first time I heard him talk on it it was swinging backwards not good!! He came to the shack and we put the meter on it key was 225 swing was 125 backwards!
Ran a welding cable with sodiered ends from the batt. and wow what swing forward.

[RabidRobert]

Wow! Hooda thunk it would make that much difference! That's it! I'm soldering everything! LOL!
:4-zap:
(Good point on the eye surface RA! ID just big enough to fit over the lug & OD the bigger the better!)

[Phaze91460]

MR RA is correct, you need to have a large surface area on the connector to battery. I use gold connectors and solder them. Tin the end of the wire first. Tinning is a process of heating the end of the wire and feeding solder. This fuses all of the strands into one cohesive wire, then solder that end into the connector. This will give you the maximum power transfer through the wire. Note: if you have an inline fuse, solder each end as well. Every joint can be a problem area if it is not handled properly.