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Good electrical connection possible via set screw banana jacks?

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Posted on February 15, 2024 at 19:05:31
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 295
Joined: November 18, 2012
 I am using copper fine strand 14 awg, The dia of wire is smaller than the banana jack socket with set screw.
I have found that every time I recheck the set screw snugness it is not.
Seems to me banana jacks with set screws would work best with single solid conductor.

I have also noticed that tightening the set screw more just mashes the conductor strands and pushes them aside the set screw.
I am thinking a copper sleeve is needed to fit the 14 awg dia. and the sleeve outer dia. to match the socket dia.
Or do I just solder the wire and socket, and forget the set screws?
What do you think...I am a bit anal about electrical connections, I like crimping the best, then solder.
thanks
tweak I must.....

 

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solder it but first, posted on February 16, 2024 at 04:29:55
Story
Audiophile

Posts: 11158
Location: NJ
Joined: December 11, 2000
 put some shrink wrap cut to a size in length so that you can still move it along the length of the cable out of the way - then use a good solder, heat it quickly, let it cool a bit then shrink it to help secure it.

Or just solder it and leave it alone. Choice is yours



 

RE: solder it but first, posted on February 16, 2024 at 07:12:41
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 295
Joined: November 18, 2012
 I am taking your advise, solder and shrink wrap.
I am nearing the finish of optimizing all the speaker and inter connect connections, what a difference.
Makes me wonder why it took nearly 72 years before it all sank in...
thinking about the good old days with spring loaded speaker terminals and bare stranded wire inserted.
tweak I must....

 

RE: Good electrical connection possible via set screw banana jacks?, posted on February 16, 2024 at 13:04:02
jad
Audiophile

Posts: 228
Location: OH
Joined: August 23, 2002
 In my opinion, banana jacks are the worst possible speaker connector as over time they lose the spring holding power. They can easily be pulled out. I use spades that are crimped and soldered with a 5-way binding post that can be tightened with a wrench.

 

i am using...., posted on February 16, 2024 at 14:19:56
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 295
Joined: November 18, 2012
 Multi-Contact AG is a Swiss company that makes ultra-high quality connectors for the electrical industry. I really like the concept of ultra-low mass banana connectors for speaker cable terminations. They're easy to use and minimally degrade the signal. The Multi-Contact fits much tighter than a egular banana jack.
I use a technique similar to you, except I use 2 and 4 lug terminal strips, except at the amp.
I agree, crimp and screw connection is the best way.
Check the link...
https://6moons.com/audioreviews/whitelightning/moonshine.html

 

RE: i am using...., posted on February 17, 2024 at 10:21:42
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10961
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Nordost used to, and maybe still, make banana plugs that are naught but rolled pieces of copper. They were standard terminations on their lower priced speaker wires. Though I am not a fan of the expensive Nordost cables, I always thought their idea about banana plugs was in the right direction, at least. In general, I do not favor banana plug connectors, otherwise.

 

RE: Good electrical connection possible via set screw banana jacks?, posted on February 17, 2024 at 17:18:23
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1539
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since: August 3, 2002
 I have been using bananas for years , and have never had any that looses its tension. There are many good ones available, especially the BFA types. Spades can be a PITA to use in tight places as two hands are needed.
Soldering is always my first choice, but if I have to use the set screws, I always pre Solder the cable to give the screws a solid base to
Lock on to.

 

RE: Good electrical connection possible via set screw banana jacks?, posted on February 18, 2024 at 06:43:50
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 295
Joined: November 18, 2012
 thanks for advise...I will follow suit, I agree the terminals are a PITA, that is the reason for bananas for me, amp is slowly being refurbished, nice to be able to unplug, and remove esily. then with VOM use the same sockets to check DC offset...
thanks again

 

That's the trouble with stranded wire, posted on February 23, 2024 at 09:54:07
horst
Audiophile

Posts: 109
Joined: April 24, 2004
 It usually requires soldering or a sleeve at the ends to connect it properly.

I mostly use solid core for everything, with diy PTFE connectors, so I don't have that problem; but decent BFA bananas and high quality solder might be a good way to deal with it.

As for the "good old days" of spring loaded speaker terminals you mentioned - must have been said in jest, right? ;)

 

RE: Good electrical connection possible via set screw banana jacks?, posted on February 25, 2024 at 12:27:48
MylesJ
Audiophile

Posts: 1263
Location: Oregon Coast
Joined: October 25, 2001
 If you are using spades for a more or less permanent connection Stabilant is a good contact improver.

 

RE: Good electrical connection possible via set screw banana jacks?, posted on February 26, 2024 at 09:03:12
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3413
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 +1. I couldn't agree more.

 

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