Does intalling an amp in the xb require any soldering? I just build a very homer simpson esque sub enclosure and am thinking i should just admit to myself that i am in fact not very handy. I would like to drive to install this myself, but reading the forums about it just gives me a headache. needless to say, i really no nothing about electronics (or, aparently woodworking)

 

some but not much

you should soldering should be where the remote wire hookup other than that just your speaker wire should be soldered

 

Soldering isn't all that difficult. Get yourself a good soldering iron sized for the situation, get some good solder (Kester brand is best), keep things clean and you'll do fine. Make sure that all connections are mecnanically sound before applying solder.

George

 

don't forget the flux

 

Especially don't forget the flux. Unless you are using Rosin Core solder, nothing will stick when soldered. Even then, I still use flux just to make sure the area is nice and clean of oxidation before I solder.

 

if youre affraid to use a solder

you can use those crimps that has solder in it or a shrink butt connectors
all you have to do is heat it up and the solder will melt

ive seen them at radio shack

 

Right you are! I omitted that because most electronic solder already has rosin in its core! That is the difference between the good Kester solder and the stuff you buy at Rat Shack.

 

If you want a really easy solder job get yourself one of these:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/69d3/

 

I wouldn't recommend soldering anything. Use crimp connectors. They'll save you a lot of headache money and you will not be able to tell any difference from sodering other than the ease of installation and less lightening of your wallet.

 

there's no sense of adventure or fire hazard in the thinking of that last post. ignore him.

:twisted:

Last time I used the crimp things. They do work well, but I'm a solder biggot , and the last project was just cold cathodes.

 

i agree, there is no need to solder, why not use some crimps and put some heat shrink over it? incase you dont know, heat shrink is a tube of plastic that slides over the crimped connection, you can use a lighter to melt the heat shrink and it will seal the connection... much much easier than soldering....

 

lol I like soldering to because I feel like it is more of a good connection and clean. I feel it is a finished product rather than twisting wires, useing butt connectors that might fall off , etc.

 

what he said isn't a very good idea. neither was rednecks. you wouldn't half ___ your car would you? if your car caught fire because of your ignorance, insurance would laugh at you for a long time once your car becomes a smelly paper weight!

soldering isn't that difficult at all. it takes patience and some extra wire too. don't worry were here to help my friend. you insure of a good electrical connection. but put these into factor. are they the same gauge wire, that could cause a little problem but not that bad. please make sure you solder. then after you solder put shome shrink tube and some electrical tape around your solder. then your connection will be dirt and water free

 

well im not trying to start an arguement, but im curious to know as why soldering is better than a crimp? im assuming you are going to put some sort of water tight heat shrink over each? correct? i know that a soldered connection has better continuity than one that is crimped, but the difference in resistance? .0001 ohms? is that going to make a difference in sound quality, not at all? i can think of a good reason to crimp instead...its a lot easier, you can do it anywhere, you dont have to know much, less materials. just as effective

 

there is a little more resistance in a solder yes but i don't really know the numbers. i was a BMW tech in NY. there were some times you can solder or crimp but not both. airbag circuts require the small metal crimp your talking about redneck but again, stereo, lights etc. really doesn't make a difference really. it's all on personal prefrence and experence with solder and flux really. beioski doesn't even have to listen to us, it all his decision. to solder or to crimp now thats the question here

 

redneck...the biggest difference is over time. Over time, due to the vibrations in a vehicle, a crimp will become loose. If you use the "blade" type connector (where you put two wires in a connector and close it, pushing a blade down to cut through the insulation and make the connection) it can even cut the wires. A good solder connection will avoid these problems. If you plan on selling your car within a few years or don't drive much a crimp will probably do.

 

If done properly, a crimped connection is a higher quality connection compared to a soldered connection in terms of resistance. I prefer solder myself because it makes for a cleaner looking job.

 

Anything you want permanent, Solder, anything you will remove frequently you should have a connector installed. I work on Avionics (aircraft electronics) for the navy, I would NEVER use wire crimps anywhere in/on my car. If you don't have the equipment/knowlege, you can hire a professional to do it for you. Think Quality when you work on your car. I never install something I would be embarassed if someone saw it. (bootleg)

 

thanks for the advice guys. The more i read about this, the less cheap i want to be about it. I get it install by a pro for $50-100, and as much as i want to do it myself, i think i might just go the professional route. Unless one of you calls me a _____. But please don't, I dont want to burn down my car just to defend my repuatation on some forum.

thanks for everything.

 

honestly, if you can build your own box, you can solder. There's nothing to it.