Is this solder on wires? How do i unsplice wires?

[CobyRupert]

Hay is coming and I need hay elevator. Existing motor has a short to ground. Miraculously I found another motor same size/rpm, bolt holes even fit! Problem: New motor runs backwards. I know which leads to swap but am unsure how to do existing splice. Is this solder?
How do you undue it? Any tricks?
Thought I'd ask before I destroy the short leads and melt the copper and insulation.
Thank you.

 

[MikePA]

Yep, that's solder. Heat it up. It might be tricky since the wires are twisted together. It might be easier if you have some help, one person to heat the solder joint, preferably with a small butane torch and to hold one of the wires with pliers while you hold the other wire with pliers. Slight tension on the joint will pull them apart as the solder melts.

 

[CobyRupert]

With a tourch? I was wonder it if that's too much? Or would a solder gun be too little?

 

[Mendonsy]

I would suggest using an electric soldering iron to heat them up. It will be slower than the butane torch, but there will be less chance of damaging the insulation on the motor leads.

alternative: If the leads are long enough just cut off the soldered ends, strip the leads and use wirenuts to make up the new connection.

 

[charlz]

Torch will do it fast ... just have to be wary of over heating things and melting the insulation. Once you see the solder go liquid give a quick tap or two and most of the solder should fall right off. After doing that time or three you should be able to untwist them.

Or, as already noted, just cut the ends off and strip back for new ends if there is enough slack.

 

[MikePA]

With a tourch? I was wonder it if that's too much? Or would a solder gun be too little?

While I was referring to a small torch, given the tight space, a soldering iron/gun would be the safer choice.

 

[CobyRupert]

Thanks Mike! That did the trick; I didn't have butane, but used propane. That worked when cranked up. And I didn't even wreck the short leads.
Using wire nuts to reconnect, or is that a bad idea w/ vibrations?
Didn't see above posts. Solder gun didn't work. Too small/cool/slow.
Thanks all.

 

[MikePA]

Thanks Mike! Using wire nuts to reconnect, or is that a bad idea w/ vibrations?

You're welcome. I'm glad the torch worked for you.

Wire nuts would work for me.

 

[PILOON]

You did it, good but--
Generally the preferred method is a hot (100 watt iron) and a solder sucker.
The sucker is a device that is spring loaded with a trigger that actually sucks away hot solder with a 'pffitt' like noise and leaves a clean connection.

Should have added that Radio Shack would carry them.

 

[CobyRupert]

I saw that when I did more Internet research. Unfortunately I wouldn't know where to get one, if they'd be open on a Sat if I did, & had no time for the 1 1/4 hr round trip
Just a Git-r-done technique.