I just finished relocating my battery to the spare tire well, it was a lot of work but I've got it all done and it's starting ok now but had a question. I used 1 guage battery cable going straight to the starter and soldered copper lugs on each end then crimped them really well. I just realized that the solder I used was some 50/50 solder that I think was for copper pipes and such, it was some old stuff I had that didnt say what the mix was, I didnt know there where that many different kinds at the time. I then found there is a 5/95 (tin/lead) designed for electrical work that I probably should have used. How much of a difference would the type of solder I used make in how well it's conducting power? Like I said it starts ok now but it's not anywhere near as strong as it did in the stock location. I really dont want to redo the connections again but I'm wondering if this 50/50 solder has anything to do with it since I don't know what material it contained and how much better it would be with this 5/95 electrical solder.

 

That solder is fine........as long as they are not loose inside the copper ends. As a general rule whenever you do electrical in a car, whether you solder or crimp connections, give a little pull on it to make sure it is secure.

 

They are very secure after I soldered and crimped the connectors. I just didnt realize at the time that there were several different types of solder, thought that could have to do with why it wasnt starting as strong as I thought it would. Thanks.