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Old 09-27-2007, 04:41 PM   #1
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Grounds

Is it a good idea to use a distribution block for grounds so they can all be grounded at the same place?

Thanks
Old 09-27-2007, 04:45 PM   #2
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Re: Grounds

i don't think it matters just as long as you get them all to a good ground. i will be running mine to pretty much the same spot on the frame with my batteries in the bed.
Old 09-27-2007, 06:33 PM   #3
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Re: Grounds

a distribution ground block is perfectly fine
Old 09-27-2007, 10:37 PM   #4
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Re: Grounds

a ground is a ground, it doesnt have to all be grounding in the same spot, its best but its no big deal.

i personally like to ground my stuff all in one spot if possible
Old 09-27-2007, 10:48 PM   #5
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by beaniebmx
a ground is a ground, it doesnt have to all be grounding in the same spot, its best but its no big deal.

i personally like to ground my stuff all in one spot if possible
WRONG if you don't ground them in the same spot you will create a ground loop
Old 09-27-2007, 10:48 PM   #6
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Re: Grounds

As long as its grounded to a good spot(chassis) a dist. block is fine.
Old 09-27-2007, 11:12 PM   #7
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Re: Grounds

what exactly is a ground loop?


PIC FROM INSTALLER.COM

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Old 09-27-2007, 11:26 PM   #8
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Re: Grounds

ha ha ha ha ...........................
Old 09-27-2007, 11:30 PM   #9
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by juddspaintballs
a distribution ground block is perfectly fine
x2

that is my plan
Old 09-27-2007, 11:31 PM   #10
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Re: Grounds

I used a dist. block with mine and have no ill effects. I drilled a hole in the floor of my blazer and attached the main ground wire to the frame. FYI
Old 09-28-2007, 12:31 AM   #11
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Re: Grounds

i'm using a fused power distribution and ground distribution combo block. 1/0 in one side with 4 4awg out (for power) and then 4 4awg in and 1/0 out (for ground). i'm grounded to the frame too
Old 09-28-2007, 10:16 AM   #12
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Re: Grounds

I only have one amp but plan on having one more soon, so I could run 1/0 to the frame and 2 4's out?
Old 09-28-2007, 10:24 AM   #13
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Re: Grounds

sure
Old 09-28-2007, 10:53 AM   #14
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Re: Grounds

i will be running around eight 0 gauge grounds to the frame in 1 spot. the more the better on comp systems!
Old 09-28-2007, 02:44 PM   #15
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Re: Grounds

you might as well just solder those grounds to the frame. i can imagine your frame is going to have more resistance than 8 runs of 1/0 to the same spot.
Old 09-28-2007, 02:46 PM   #16
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Re: Grounds

true.....
Old 09-28-2007, 02:49 PM   #17
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Re: Grounds

or have your frame copper plated, lol
Old 09-28-2007, 02:53 PM   #18
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Re: Grounds

heyyyyyyyy now there is a thought!!!!!!!!!
Old 09-28-2007, 03:22 PM   #19
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Re: Grounds

I have seen alot of guys weld grounds to the frame
Old 09-28-2007, 03:53 PM   #20
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Re: Grounds

Wouldnt the heat of the weld damage the wire?
Old 09-28-2007, 05:02 PM   #21
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by 97SSindiana
Wouldnt the heat of the weld damage the wire?
i would solder. not weld...
the frame is thinner than the wire. so it wont be TOO hard with a torch
Old 09-28-2007, 07:24 PM   #22
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Re: Grounds

weld a 3/8'' bolt to the frame then attach the ground to that. CRIMP and solder a copper lug to the end of the cable attach it to the bolt and then seal it with paint. Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire

Last edited by brokeitagain : 09-28-2007 at 07:28 PM.
Old 09-28-2007, 07:34 PM   #23
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Re: Grounds

I never heat my wires, it changes the characteristics of the wire. I use only compression style connections, I never crimp. Use a common ground location, clean all paint and crap off of the metal. And then grease the spot so no rust appears.
Old 09-28-2007, 07:55 PM   #24
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Re: Grounds

if u heat copper hot enough to change its characteristics when soldering u dont know how to solder, it takes much more heat to change it that it takes for most standard electrical solders to melt.
Old 09-28-2007, 09:27 PM   #25
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Re: Grounds

crimping before soldering???

use compression fittings instead of solder???

changing the characteristics of wire by soldering???(paraphrasing)

wow.....3 years of electronics in high school and having a father that was an electrician and 20 + years of installing stereos don't quite have me prepared for these statements!

i guess solder or printed circuit boards should never have been invented,huh?

wow....i'm just shaking my head in disbelief
Old 09-28-2007, 10:39 PM   #26
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Re: Grounds

fien ok im fuking wrong whatever
Old 09-28-2007, 10:45 PM   #27
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Re: Grounds

had a car that was wrecked......it would not run.....there was a broke wire that was repaired with a butt connector.....it was some sensor wire.....

cut off the connectors solder the wires...heatshrink...wrapped with electrical tape....the car ran!

so if there was an arguement that says butt connectors create resitance....solder does not....then i'd be agreeing right now!
Old 09-28-2007, 10:48 PM   #28
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Re: Grounds

what i said:
Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire

what i should have said:
Improperly Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire

i guess i could have been a little more clear. I have seen many "cold soldered" joints that failed because of solder being flowed on to instead of "in to" a solder joint

Last edited by brokeitagain : 09-28-2007 at 10:50 PM. Reason: more shit
Old 09-28-2007, 10:59 PM   #29
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Re: Grounds

i solder.....no crimp.....i used to crimp then solder but thought it was a waste of time.....



that's 4 ga. soldered to a 4 lug with no crimp......lifting my vice off the bench....mechanically strong enough for me bro...but i have a tough time seeing greater resistance

Last edited by Sir Toad : 09-28-2007 at 11:01 PM.
Old 09-29-2007, 02:03 AM   #30
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Re: Grounds

i've soldered 4awg with no crimp plenty of times and i'll be damned. the only way to get that lug back off is to melt the solder again.


i still don't understand the statement about changing the characteristics of copper w/heat. copper is copper is copper. when copper is molten it's still copper and when it cools it's still copper. still conducts electricity the same once it's cool
Old 09-29-2007, 02:58 AM   #31
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Re: Grounds

I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.
Old 09-29-2007, 03:18 AM   #32
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by Sasquatch
I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.

i see your point i guess. compression is pretty nice and always looks good to boot
Old 09-29-2007, 08:38 AM   #33
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by Sasquatch
I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.
on that note......i've got high end audio at home.....i've got straightwire level 3 interconnects(4 pairs) and a pair of level 3 speaker cables....all terminations are soldered and i just double checked...they are not crimped!
Old 09-29-2007, 09:11 AM   #34
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad
i solder.....no crimp.....i used to crimp then solder but thought it was a waste of time.....



that's 4 ga. soldered to a 4 lug with no crimp......lifting my vice off the bench....mechanically strong enough for me bro...but i have a tough time seeing greater resistance
What he is saying is that if you dont crimp it first you have a greater chance of getting a bad solder joint. When I worked in car audio I had a manager that cold soldered EVERY joint he did and wouldnt ever listen to anybody.
Old 09-29-2007, 11:36 AM   #35
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
What he is saying is that if you dont crimp it first you have a greater chance of getting a bad solder joint. When I worked in car audio I had a manager that cold soldered EVERY joint he did and wouldnt ever listen to anybody.
no no no no.......

crimping does not magically give you a good solder joint

let's just say it's a crutch for someone who can't solder!
Old 09-29-2007, 03:55 PM   #36
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad
no no no no.......

crimping does not magically give you a good solder joint

let's just say it's a crutch for someone who can't solder!
x2
solder FTW!

i solder every day (laptop repair), besides im too lazy to crimp its alot easier to solder. especially if you have a torch. and solder has alot better connection becuase it melts over the wire and fills up gaps between the connector.

Last edited by beandip : 09-29-2007 at 03:56 PM.
Old 09-29-2007, 11:41 PM   #37
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad
no no no no.......

crimping does not magically give you a good solder joint

let's just say it's a crutch for someone who can't solder!

Dont get me wrong, I solder everything I do, and I have never had to fix a solder joint that I have done because it wasnt done right. That is saying alot considering ive done well over 1000 radios and probably about 200 alarms. However, in my opinion if you dont crimp a terminal on a heavy gauge wire before you solder it there is more air space inside of the terminal. That tells me that there is space that the solder can go other than in the wire if the soldering isnt done right. When I solder a terminal on a heavy gauge wire I dont crimp it.
Old 09-29-2007, 11:55 PM   #38
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Re: Grounds

i have no clue how you solder heavy gauge wire.......

hmmmm

don't crimp...there is airspace????

that is absolutely ridiculous.....the rosin will offset air and push it out

vs.

crimp...at best 1/2 the connection gets solder...??????

please help me understand if i am missing something..........

i do not try to be a dick(all the time)....but i want to better my procedures if i have been doing something wrong.....
Old 09-30-2007, 11:03 AM   #39
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad
i have no clue how you solder heavy gauge wire.......

hmmmm

don't crimp...there is airspace????

that is absolutely ridiculous.....the rosin will offset air and push it out

vs.

crimp...at best 1/2 the connection gets solder...??????

please help me understand if i am missing something..........

i do not try to be a dick(all the time)....but i want to better my procedures if i have been doing something wrong.....


I think you are misunderstanding me. I am not saying you are doing anything wrong. and I am not argueing with you at all. I was trying to help you understand the point the other guy was makeing (even though I didnt totally agree with it) I didnt think about it that way untill you said it. I guess you are right about crimping it preventing the solder from getting to most of the connection. I wasnt saying there would be airspace left after a solder, I was saying there would be airspace left after a "BAD" solder.
Old 09-30-2007, 11:58 AM   #40
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
I think you are misunderstanding me. I am not saying you are doing anything wrong. and I am not argueing with you at all. I was trying to help you understand the point the other guy was makeing (even though I didnt totally agree with it) I didnt think about it that way untill you said it. I guess you are right about crimping it preventing the solder from getting to most of the connection. I wasnt saying there would be airspace left after a solder, I was saying there would be airspace left after a "BAD" solder.
ok.....like i said...i wasn't trying to be a dick...i was trying to make a couple of valid points and i see that you understand what i was saying.

btw....i never defend something i don't agree with
Old 09-30-2007, 08:50 PM   #41
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad
ok.....like i said...i wasn't trying to be a dick...i was trying to make a couple of valid points and i see that you understand what i was saying.

btw....i never defend something i don't agree with

I soldered a ground wire directly to the dash support once on an alarm install. Should I have admitted that outloud?? haha
Old 09-30-2007, 09:12 PM   #42
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
I soldered a ground wire directly to the dash support once on an alarm install. Should I have admitted that outloud?? haha
sure!!!

better than a wire from way over there butt connected and crimped going to your ground!
Old 10-01-2007, 04:04 PM   #43
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Re: Grounds

damn what an argument over soldering......... lol

i don't solder i use butt connectors!

if i had a good solder iron, or cold soldering gun i would, for my next install, ( my big install ) every contact point will be soldered instead of butt connected, crimped etc.........
Old 10-01-2007, 04:55 PM   #44
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by bladehines
damn what an argument over soldering......... lol

i don't solder i use butt connectors!

if i had a good solder iron, or cold soldering gun i would, for my next install, ( my big install ) every contact point will be soldered instead of butt connected, crimped etc.........
when brian admitted to using a hook tool to get out door handle clips i send him the right tool for the job...it was worth the cost cause it was funny as hell

do i have to send you a soldering iron?





















Old 10-01-2007, 08:16 PM   #45
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Re: Grounds

what is cold soldering? and where could I find a good soldering iron?
Old 10-01-2007, 11:52 PM   #46
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Re: Grounds

i use a hook for the door handles too...where's my window crank tool?



you can get a decently powered soldering iron at radio shack. i prefer irons over guns but thats personal preference i guess
Old 10-02-2007, 12:31 AM   #47
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by juddspaintballs
i use a hook for the door handles too...where's my window crank tool?



you can get a decently powered soldering iron at radio shack. i prefer irons over guns but thats personal preference i guess
i prefer a pencil over either
Old 10-02-2007, 02:51 AM   #48
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by paint toad
when brian admitted to using a hook tool to get out door handle clips i send him the right tool for the job...it was worth the cost cause it was funny as hell

do i have to send you a soldering iron?






















Um I have used a hook tool for years for that. #1 I dont think it could get any easier, and #2 I dont possibly see how anyone could invent anything that would make it any easier or better.
Old 10-02-2007, 08:18 AM   #49
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Re: Grounds

Quote: Originally Posted by Futuresweets10
Um I have used a hook tool for years for that. #1 I dont think it could get any easier, and #2 I dont possibly see how anyone could invent anything that would make it any easier or better.
obviously you have never used the proper tool!it's faster/easier/and the clips NEVER go for the wild ride
Old 10-02-2007, 10:05 AM   #50
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Re: Grounds

i solder heavy gauge wire with a blow torch, smaller wires i have a plug in wall one or use butts, depends on the application. I have always had problems crimping large gauge wire, and I have tried various methods.



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