simple electronics question
 

I need to wire a 470 ohm resistor into a wire for my GM alternator. Do I need to cut the wire in the middle and solder it to both ends, or can I just strip a bare spot on two areas of the wire and solder both ends to the bare spot?

___ -xx-_____

OR

-xx-

where resistor is parallel to the wire but touching in two places?

Thanks,
Frank

have to cut it and put in middle in series cnat be in parrellel or it wont do anything

First one if it is "into" the wire. Second one will do nothing.

electricity takes the path of least resistance. ie the solid wire.

Think of electricity as water or air and wire as hose, and a resistor as a restrictor. The restrictor needs to be placed in series with the wire.

Thanks, that's what I figured, just hoping I was wrong as the integrity of the connection would have been better if I could wire them parallel. Shoulda known from my days installing stereo stuff and building subwoofers.

Frank