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Related Resources • Maintenance Q&A Index

Is it better to solder electrical wires to terminal connections or crimp them? P.V., via e-mail
Soldering is no longer considered a proper way to connect electrical wires to terminal connections, as it can produce hard spots in the wire that can fatigue and break. In addition, solder will break down when subjected to salt air, causing a loss of strength and electrical integrity. The preferred method is crimping.

Make sure your crimping tool is the size specified by the terminal manufacturer. After crimping, protect the connection from corrosion by sealing it with a coating of liquid vinyl, sometimes known in the trade as liquid electrical tape, or by using shrink tubing.

What do you recommend for keeping a teak-and-holly sole clean? S.E., via e-mail
I’ve had good results with scrubbing the sole with a soft sponge and a solution of two parts Murphy’s Oil Soap and one part warm water. It will clean the surface without scratching it.

How is an open-circuit voltage test done on a 12-volt battery? J.N., via e-mail
The open-circuit voltage of a 12-volt battery is what is measured when the battery is not delivering or receiving power. For a fully charged battery, it should be 2.11 volts per cell, or 12.66 volts for a 12-volt battery.

You can easily check the open-circuit voltage of your battery by disconnecting both cables, then setting your multimeter control to D.C. volts; for meters without auto ranging set it to 20 volts. Touch the red (positive) probe to the battery positive terminal and the black (negative) probe to the negative battery terminal and read the meter.

Need help with a maintenance problem? Write to Maintenance Q & A, Power & Motoryacht, 260 Madison Ave., 8th Fl., New York, NY 10016. Fax: (917) 256-2282. e-mail: ken.kreisler@primedia.com or visit the maintenance forum at powerandmotoryacht.com. No phone calls, please.

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