tinned wire or not!!! that is the question

Hugh Jardon · 19 January 2006, 16:33

would you say that if wire is copper coloured it is not tinned?

i believe that tinned wire is usually silver or solder coloured in appearance but want to make sure..

Hightower · 19 January 2006, 16:46

I would think the same as you Chris. But if unsure DIY.

Jono · 19 January 2006, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I would think the same as you Chris. But if unsure DIY.

DIY ???

Marine grade cable is "tinned" for its whole length under the PV sheath... it is silver in colour.. at least every time I've bought it, it is... I assume that's the colour of the tin/lead mix that forms the solder with which it's "tinned"....

I think it's marked on the sheath as well.. but I ain't so sure about that...

jwalker · 19 January 2006, 16:50

Same colour as tin.

Hugh Jardon · 19 January 2006, 17:18

can folks confirm that if the wire is copper coloured it is definately not tinned?

Scary Des · 19 January 2006, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

can folks confirm that if the wire is copper coloured it is definately not tinned?

YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!

Jono · 19 January 2006, 17:40

Just a moment.... have you bought some "cheap" marine cable....... off some geezer called Dirk?...............

.
.
.
. I've not come across any marine grade wire/cable/flex that hasn't been marinised by "tinning", but you live and learn... someone may have come up with a coating that isn't solder... don't know of one though... and no one I asked had either....

Hugh Jardon · 19 January 2006, 17:43

i have some cable yes and i dont think it is tinned as it is copper coloured!!!! but i wanted to check with the experts first.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Just a moment.... have you bought some "cheap" marine cable....... off some geezer called Dirk?...............

Hightower · 19 January 2006, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

DIY ???

I mean you can tin the end

...

Hugh Jardon · 20 January 2006, 10:01

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12744

refer to my other thread for the rational behind the question i originally posed.

jyasaki · 23 January 2006, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I mean you can tin the end

...

True. However, tinning the end of the stripped wire is meant to facilitate soldering. It is not a "marinization" of the cable.

Copper, if exposed to sea water, will rapidly corrode, causing the strands to become brittle. This is noticeable, and somewhat problematic, where the wire is stripped, but is actually more of a problem within the insulation, where you would normally assume there to be no problem. The water wicks up the stranded conductors, and corrodes the strands further up the cable.

Marinized tinned wire has each strand of the wire clad with tin (or a tin/lead alloy; i.e. solder) in order to protect the copper from any water intrusion. This does not mean that you can or should do away without further protection (adhesive lined shrink tubing, dielectric grease, etc.) but rather that the onset of conductor corrosion problems will be somewhat delayed.

jky

Erin · 24 January 2006, 20:08

Well said jky. I wouldn't ever use untinned cable on any boat I own, now that I've seen what happens to standard copper cable after just a few years. Even in the relatively dry engine bay of a large motor boat I know, the cable has become seriously corroded and the connectors have failed. Always use tinned cable and heat shrink connectors. Expensive but well worth it.

Rogue Wave · 24 January 2006, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

It is not a "marinization" of The water wicks up the stranded conductors, and corrodes the strands further up the cable.

jky

I call that corrosion creep does any body know the proper term for it

Hugh Jardon · 24 January 2006, 20:23

probably the real situation is most folks would not knowingly use non tinned cable, check your loom on your suz for tinned wire, also check any components you have purchased as not all manufacturers use tinned wire!

secret is to take the appropriate precautions in such cases.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Well said jky. I wouldn't ever use untinned cable on any boat I own, now that I've seen what happens to standard copper cable after just a few years. Even in the relatively dry engine bay of a large motor boat I know, the cable has become seriously corroded and the connectors have failed. Always use tinned cable and heat shrink connectors. Expensive but well worth it.

codprawn · 24 January 2006, 21:11

Why not just use gold and be done with - excellent conductor and totally corrosion resistant!!!

Cookee · 30 January 2006, 17:37

We only use tinned cable and heatshrink connectors - after 2 or 3 seasons Mercury looms are corroded over thier whole length if you don't protect them - glue lined heatshrink at either end helps ........