Lead free solder for lugs?

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

It does not matter what solder you use, although try not to use Acid Core because it will cause corrosion. Lead free Vs. Lead bearing is all about the health risks of soldering it. I personally prefer lead bearing because it has a lower melting point, thus not needing a flux. Silver bearing OR Rosin Core are the best for electrical purposes, most of which are lead free nowadays. I've used rosin core on most of my lugs and it works great. Use some paraffin (wax) for a flux and you're golden.
I say solder all the lugs. Solder is cheap. Paraffin is cheap and will last you a while. Get something metal that you can clamp/hold the lugs with and get a blowtorch (I have a sweet little butane powered blowtorch and solder switchable tool) and you're set for life on lugs.

Thanks! I was hoping that the silver bearing solder would be fine.

I have not used any of the crimp tools, I have seen the end results though. Very nice solid connections.I didn't see in your post what size of wire - the hydraulic one at harbor freight said it will only work on up to 1/0.

You might have a hard time finding a tool to crimp 2/0 unless you know any linemen in your area that would let you borrow one.

Only places I have seen anything larger then 1/0 is farm/tractors batt cables and home power lines.

It's 2/0 welding cable, so I think I'm going to try and still use my vice, in order to save costs. I'll try it on one, and see how it holds. If I need something better to crimp it, I'll go to Harbor Freight

hammer crimps and hydrualics all do their job fine. just one is more convenient than the other. I've tested both and you cannot rip it off even with two people playing tug of war.

Hoping to get mine solid as well