Flex Cable/solder

[Wetter]

how much heat can a flex cable take when soldering motor end coupling side?
i am thinking of brazing with (refrigerant silver solder) just curious on if it would weaken the flex cable drive under map gas heat?
hey i am thinking not but i still would like to here if possible or not.
Thanx.

[Doug Smock]

I use 45% on all my cables from .130 to .250 without issues.
Some of my .250 cables I use set screw couplers and braze 5/8"of the end of the cables. MAPP or propane will get the job done. If you use oxy acetylene make sure you use a neutral flame.

[Wetter]

yes, thank you Mr. Smock i down loaded info off OSE but no mention of this.
Once again Thank You kindly. I just thought regular solder was too soft.
also on Wohlts site they mention 55% Brazing with their product.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Get it too hot and you blow out the brazing then not as strong. I have had a few failures and this was one of the reasons.

[Wetter]

yes i found that out yesterday
prop shaft i used Loctite 638 but the motor coupling side i tried some brazing rod i use for a/c copper line set, got way too hot.
any way try try again and gave soldering iron a chance but with 3% wire solder so far so good.

[Doug Smock]

Sil-fos, as you found out won't work.

[rickwess]

Sorry, what is sil-fos?

I have 3% silver, electrical and plumbing solder. Which one is best. I'm also a short drive from Sayal if it's something else.

[Doug Smock]

Sil-fos

http://www.uri.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/PrcTransaction/en_US/-/USD/ViewCatalog-Browse?CatalogCategoryID=doAKFgIKHfcAAAFA6XwInMrF&OnlineFlag=1

45% silver http://www.uri.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP....F&OnlineFlag=1
Flux for the 45 http://www.uri.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP....F&OnlineFlag=1
If you are having success with the 3% use it.

[rickwess]

I haven't tried anything yet. I will shortly just want to know what I'm getting myself into. What is generally recommended for soldering the flex cable?

[Doug Smock]

I have used the 45% since I've been playing with boats. Ed Hughey, Speedmaster, etc cables all have the stubs brazed on with a brazing alloy with a high silver content.
Some guys........http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ng+flex+cables

[rickwess]

Thanks.

What that tells me is I should get an extra long flex cable and experiment/practice. I'm thinking that if I can solder 8awg wire with my soldering iron set-up, I should probably be able to solder a flex cable. Like any good soldering, I'm sure the secret is to use acid based flux and not rely on the flux in the solder core. Worse case is to break out the micro torch to get a little more heat.

[Wetter]

the flex i soldered was for my tug, but when i go to do my FE's i want somethn' more substantial.
thanx again.
ps
Do not use acid flux, which it can wick up into cable and cause rust and or corrosion.

[rickwess]

My assumption is that soldering the end of the flex cable is to stop it from fraying from the repeated insertions into the collet. When the flex cable is under load, the direction of rotation actually tightens the winds, hence the gap we leave between the drive dog and whatever we use.

A good clean with alcohol, then your grease should prevent any rusting after that.

[tlandauer]

Most of my cables are not soldered ( collet end). The alignment on them are pretty good, when I insert the end into the collet, I turn the cable ( prop) clockwise as I push, never had a frayed strand of steel wire. It's also important that the end is not bluntly cut but chamfered.

[Wetter]

ok, chamfered,
by filing or just an angle (bevel) cut?