[sdiy] Crimp Vs Soldering / was 0.100 pin header reliability.

[Graham Atkins]

On 13 Nov 2010, at 00:50, Paul Perry wrote:

> I think that when soldering decreases reliability it is because
> the solder wicks up the wire away from the joint & stiffens the wire,
> which then tends to flex sharply at the end of the solder & break  
> there.
>
> Anything that can be done to make the "kinking" forces more evenly
> distributed along and around the joint, helps reliability.  
> Heatshrink is
> the obvious.
>
> Personally, I use IDC flat ribbon cable, and I have been astonished  
> at how
> reliable it is - even when using improvised methods like vices - but  
> it is
> quite essential to get the connector EXACTLY at right angles, and a  
> jig is
> a great help. If money were no object, I would definitely buy ready  
> made from Digikey.
> I've made several thousand, with no problems.

Motor vehicle wiring harnesses always used to have crimp connections  
presumably
because of the stresses on the connectors from vibrations and shock.  
However a lot
of technicians fitting alarm systems etc (Aftermarket products) seem  
to use soldering
these days I notice.

Graham

(P.S. Webber for F1 champ this weekend !!)