Cruising Sailors Forum Archive
Our Raymarine auto pilot motor's solder connections did that.
In Response To: I was always told to crimp if the amp draw was going to be high ()
We had the auto pilot on for 3 days and nights on a passage. We were on a downwind passage in 6 foot seas . The motor worked so hard the solder melted, the brushes fell off and the motor failed. It took me hours repairing it on the salon floor while on the passage.
The problem was that Raymarine put the motor in a metal cover to make it look good so it heated up. They probably didn't think anyone would use the auto pilot for more than a few hours at a time. They've since corrected the problem taking the shell off and adding aluminum cooling fins.
Messages In This Thread
- Solder vs. crimp connectors
- Watch the type of solder, but otherwise it's fine to use solder.
- When you solder you make a rigid connection rather than flexible
- solder is better if done correctly
- I was always told to crimp if the amp draw was going to be high
- Our Raymarine auto pilot motor's solder connections did that.
- Crimp connectors with shrink tubing & sealant are really good.
- If the wire is tinned I'd always crimp
- Problem comes with the adjacent connection.
- I did note that some would say that solder is better; however, let's go to ABYC
