Recommend using Set Screw Power Rings?

**matt11601** · 03-13-2006, 07:41 PM

Lemme just give you some background info on what led me to set screw power rings:

I have a 8 gauge output distribution block. One of the holes is being taken up by my amp. The free hole is going to be for the M2-ATX. Since the M2-ATX power wire is 16 or 18 gauge (I can't remember), my problem becomes, "How do I connect a 16 gauge wire to an 8 gauge output?"

I emailed this same problem to Crutchfield and they responded by recommending to use this power set screw -->>

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fJo9hNt....asp?i=211RTS8

Now that power set screw is $20 which seems like an expensive solution. In addition to this solution, I've read that I can just solder an 8 gauge wire to a 16 gauge wire and get power to my M2 that way (fuse on 16 gauge). I've also read that people crimp on rings/quick disconnects to an 8 gauge wire and a 16 gauge wire and connect them that way too.

I was hoping someone could recommend the best way to do this. I'm really hesitant to move forward because I do not want to start a fire. And if you have another way to power the M2 in my situation, I would love to hear it. Thanks for your advice/help.

-Matt

**mushin** · 03-13-2006, 11:05 PM

Sure, you can solder. Just be aware that you need to dump alot of heat into it to avoid a cold join, since that's alot more metal than most people are used to soldering. Crimping should also work. The key is to get a nice solid connection between the two wires.

**matt11601** · 03-13-2006, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by mushin

Sure, you can solder. Just be aware that you need to dump alot of heat into it to avoid a cold join, since that's alot more metal than most people are used to soldering. Crimping should also work. The key is to get a nice solid connection between the two wires.

So it'll take longer than 30 seconds to get the wire hot enough to melt the solder?

EDIT: Nevermind, of course it will.

Thanks for the advice, that's a lot better than buying that $20 set screw power ring.