Wire Resistance

[Joes4x4Ranger]

What creates more resistance in a wire splice, solder or crimp connection? I'm installing the temp sensor for my overhead console and I want the least resistance in the wire splices. The sensor is a thermistor, and very minute changes in resistance(like splices in wire) will affect the temperature reading.

Also will increasing wire size from the 20ga factory to a heavier 18ga negate the added resistance of the splices?

 

[JDraper]

Soldering will have less resistance because you will have more electrical contact. (as long as you have a good solder joint.

A larger gauge wire will also have less resistance.

 

[Charlie]

I have 18 gauge to my temp sensor, with pigtailed & soldered joints, and it's accurate.

 

[Joes4x4Ranger]

Thanks guys, I'll run 18ga wire and get my soldering gun warmed up.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Wire length is another factor. How many feet are we talking about?

 

[Wagonized]

actually as far as resistance goes splicing is the best way....copper to copper connection.

Solder itself is a very poor conductor.

However, all my 1/0 lugs in my truck are soldered with silver solder. Silver is a better conductor than copper...although im not sure how pure the solder is. Cant be anywhere near 100% obviously but it is fairly expensive stuff.

So in the end splicing gets my vote for best conductivity. Longevity is another story though

 

[aznboi3644]

Like Wagon said...solder is not a better connection...a nice tight crimp of copper to copper is better.

Buying silver solder is not worth the outrageous cost.\...there is very very very little difference. Silver solder is only 5% silver..doesn't really make much of a difference at all.

I'd crimp it nice and tight.

Also larger gauge wire will have less resistance so it won't hurt to step it up.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Silver solder requires a high temperature to melt compared to other types of solder.

 

[Wagonized]

Silver solder requires a high temperature to melt compared to other types of solder.

yea its definitely a pain in the ass having to solder almost 100 lugs with a blowtorch

 

[FexplorerV8]

solder and heat shrink is the way to go.