Splicing wire

[Capt Terry]

Didn’t notice whether the wire was tinned but just replaced a still working Rule bilge pump which was perhaps 25+ years old. I also have a much newer backup.

[DonV]

Seems to me 31 years of no problems with Bones' method is a nice history to work with! I'm too lazy for the soldering, I just use heat shrink butt connectors with the proper crimp tool and if it's where a lot of moisture is always present I add a adhesive heat shrink over that.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by DonV

Seems to me 31 years of no problems with Bones' method is a nice history to work with! I'm too lazy for the soldering, I just use heat shrink butt connectors with the proper crimp tool and if it's where a lot of moisture is always present I add a adhesive heat shrink over that.

Fair enough! Apparently it works both ways. I have been doing it one way for a long time assuming that solder and salt would lead to problems. I rewired a Mako around 15 years ago that had corroded connections. I remember the soldered connections were corroded and beginning to fail but they were exposed, the wiring had no heat shrink over it. I suppose in hindsight that proper sealing of the connections is paramount.
If I had it to do over I don't know if I would change. Perhaps it more of an old dog & new trick thing than a rite and wrong thing.

[lelandtampa]

I can remember reading in Florida sportsman when I was a kid a Vic Dunaway article about the Western Union splice. And how some connections he did as a young man were still intact. This was if course before the days of shrink tube. They just had liqiid electrical tape and untinned wire. Speaks to the tenacity of the joint if they held up with substandard coverings.

[WillyC]

IF you have some time, check out the link below. Gives a ton of excellent information.

https://marinehowto.com/marine-wire-termination/