Jim Corey Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 Needed to replace the 30 amp plug on our power cord. Cable was pulling out of molded plug. The replacement plug made no mention of tinning the leads. In time past, I would have, but got good contact with twisted wire on the plug blade clamp. Since I have another to do on the extension cord, what's best? Jim Corey 2006 Monaco Monarch 30 pdd '12 Honda CRV toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 Tinning makes the exposed wire hard and will not mold to the clamp for maximum surface area contact. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockintom Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Gotta agree with Mark.....I tinned mine on a 50A a while back and didn't like the results. With that said, a little dielectric grease on the wires at the clamp area wouldn't hurt. My Camco 50A male end didn't mention any thing about tinning. I found a great You Tube video on how to do the job later. Check it out. rockin' '12 Excel Limitied 33ft GKE Full Timing '14 Chev 3500 CC DRW D/A named Bullet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57becky Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 The problem with tinning is if the connection does start getting hot due to load, the tin will soften and allow the connection to get lose, making things worse. Most, if not all electrical connectors are designed to have the copper strands clean and bare under the screw connections. If the connection is exposed to a corrosive environment, it wouldn't hurt to use a little conductive grease, such as NO OX ID, on the connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 At our huge Naval facility where I designed and we had several different in house or contractor electricians over the years, I never specified nor did the electricians tin stranded copper wire leads for use in such fixtures. There were instances where we might use a crimp on connector followed up by soldering and then heat shrink tubing to cover it all up, but that's obviously different then placing bare stranded copper wire under a screw. Deep down buried in some or our spec sheets it may have called for torque values even, but that's something I didn't call out on my drawings. Not sure what, if anything, UL or NEC has to say, its been too long and my code book is DUSTY lol FWIW in our shop our electricians DID NOT tin leads for use in those type of fixtures. Yall do as you please if you think one way is best over another. John T Too long retired EE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Corey Posted September 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 . Deep down buried in some or our spec sheets it may have called for torque values even, but that's something I didn't call out on my drawings. Not sure what, if anything, UL or NEC has to say, its been too long and my code book is DUSTY lol Per Camco, 25 in/pounds. Or, as I did it, good and tight. A.ll strands under the clamp. Jim Corey 2006 Monaco Monarch 30 pdd '12 Honda CRV toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'd also open the plug back up after a couple weeks of use and re-torque the clamp screws. Only takes a minute and a tight screw is a happy screw, not a melted sparky one. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 I tinned the wires when hooking up a Progressive Industries EMS on our last trailer. One evening I smelled that hot electrical smell, opened up the EMS unit, and found scorched connections. When I called Progressive Industries the very first question they asked me was if I had tinned the wires. They told me that a large stranded conductor like that shouldn't be tinned, as it interferes with the wire conforming to the clamped connection in the EMS unit. Lesson learned!! Mark & Teri 2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350 Mark & Teri's Travels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Corey Posted September 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Doubly good to know. I'm installing a PI EMS also. Jim Corey 2006 Monaco Monarch 30 pdd '12 Honda CRV toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baphenatem Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Unless the installation instructions indicate that the wires should be tinned, (which is very unusual these days), it's best to just leave them be. The compression plates that are used inside the connector help to spread the pressure out over the strands and will work fine if the conductors are clean and the proper torque is applied. Tom - KK8M. MI Licensed Journeyman Electrician (35 years), ISA Level 2 Instrumentation Technician, UL Certified Solar Installer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Tinned wire also has a tendency to weaken at the transition point from tinned to bare with movement of the wire. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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