New 50 AMP plug install-tin leads?

[sasha_j]

My rig has a hardwired 50 amp cord that is way too long. So I am shortening it by cutting it and adding a new CAMCO plug like this:

This one

The instructions say not to solder the ends but it seems tough to keep the 6AWG stranded copper wire neat inside the plug without resorting to tinning the ends or some kind of ferrule crimp (don't have a crimper)

I have it working but I don't like how the copper strands are messy inside the plug. I would like to redo with tinned ends. Any reason I should NOT do this?

[Rvpapa]

Actually the best for clamping larger multi-stranded conductors, size 10 and above, is to wrap a turn of copper foil / tape before clamping to retain strands.
Art.

[SoundGuy]

"Tinning the wire ends which are not under the screw is perfectly fine and avoids having errant strands sticking out and possibly contacting an adjacent contact. I always tin the wire ends."

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Have you ever replaced a cord end? If so you would know there should not be wires "sticking out". There would not be any loose strands that is why you twist them before placing in position and tightening.

Well let's see - I first became interested in electronics in 1957, which in turn lead to a 45 yr career as a technical supervisor, so yeah I've made a few connections in my time. 😉 All good despite your "expert" opinion. :R

FWIW, I just rebuilt my EMS and because of the type of screw clamp used I did not in this case tin the wire ends as they lie under the clamp itself. However, I did notice this results in a number of fine wire strands falling off so it was important to carefully vacuum the inside of the case so none of these strands would later cause any potential shorting.

[Cummins12V98]

"Tinning the wire ends which are not under the screw is perfectly fine and avoids having errant strands sticking out and possibly contacting an adjacent contact. I always tin the wire ends."

Have you ever replaced a cord end? If so you would know there should not be wires "sticking out". There would not be any loose strands that is why you twist them before placing in position and tightening.

[SoundGuy]

Chris Bryant wrote:
I don't like tinning in this case- if the connection heats at all, the solder can soften, making the connection worse.

SoundGuy wrote:
The OP isn't talking about tinning all the exposed copper, just the ends, which is what I've always done to prevent individual strands from separating from the bunch.

Chris Bryant wrote:
That's what I am talking about- not a good idea. I tin low voltage/low current leads, but not power.

Tinning the wire ends which are not under the screw is perfectly fine and avoids having errant strands sticking out and possibly contacting an adjacent contact. I always tin the wire ends. :B

[Chris_Bryant]

SoundGuy wrote:

Chris Bryant wrote:
I don't like tinning in this case- if the connection heats at all, the solder can soften, making the connection worse.

The OP isn't talking about tinning all the exposed copper, just the ends, which is what I've always done to prevent individual strands from separating from the bunch.

That's what I am talking about- not a good idea. I tin low voltage/low current leads, but not power.

FWIW, I really like the Progressive Indutries replacements- this one on Amazon is miss labeled,but that's the one

[pianotuna]

Hi Cummins12v98,

Yes, the yellow with the lovely handle on them. They burned when carrying only 15 amps.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Camco female outlets seem to be rather poor. I've had 4 fail.

The yellow ones?

[Cummins12V98]

pianotuna wrote:
Camco female outlets seem to be rather poor. I've had 4 fail.

The yellow ones?

[Second_Chance]

pianotuna wrote:
Best quality may be Hubble.

That's "Hubbell" in case you have problems with searches...

Rob

[azdryheat]

I carry a 15' cord extension and I've had to use it. I would never cut the main cord. But you're free to do what you want to your cord.

[pianotuna]

Best quality may be Hubbell.

ty for pointing out my spelling error!

[sasha_j]

I will see if this one is a better assembly

Park Power by Marinco

[sasha_j]

thanks guys, I will not tin the ends.....and I agree on CAMCO quality it seems pretty cheap

[ScottG]

No, don't tin the leads.
Doing so may cause it to get loose with heat and cold cycles - just like aluminum wire.

[Second_Chance]

First of all, I try to stay away from ALL Camco electrical products for quality reasons. Now... if you twist the strands as mentioned above so that they neatly go into the connector, there is no need to tin. Not being tinned allows the strands to spread out more as the screw is tightened and creates more surface area contact for conduction. I say this based on 50 years of experience dealing with electrical and electronic equipment.

Rob