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Topic: Electrical Connectors (Read 303 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Re: Solar controller ...
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Electrical Connectors
Quote from: Craig P  - 
If you don't feel comfortable with a soldering iron you could use something like these.

Amazon.com : Heat Shrink Solder Sleeve Crimpless Butt Connectors : Sports &...

Amazon link for the forum :D ,I hope I did this correctly.

I would prefer these to a wire nut as corrosion can occur inside a wire nut, causing more resistance and improper thermistor reading.  A hair dryer may not melt the solder and a cheap heat gun would need to be used.

Craig, brings up a point that is near and dear to me. I have never had much success with a solder gun or crimping butt connectors. Looking at his link led me to another method called a Posi Lock connector. Anyone have any thoughts about something like that which seems even more foolproof.

Amazon.com: Posi-lock Connectors, 14-16 Gauge, Bulk Pack of 20: Electronics

Jim
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Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #1 –

Ouch, a buck a pop. Have you ever tried a crimping tool like this one?

Crimping Tool

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #3 –

Never used a crimpless terminal,  why when crimping is so easy and much cheaper?
For crimping small terminals, this is my go to tool, the one I have used for decades.
It works well with insulated and non-insulted terminals and is also a wire cutter.
Klein Tools 1005 9-3/4-Inch Crimping and Cutting Tool for Insulated and...

For crimping battery cables and other large gauge wire, this is the tool to use.
FTZ Heavy Duty LUG Crimp Tool Ratcheting | eBay
Expensive and worth every dollar, if it is used.

Larry
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #4 –
Larry,
That is the one I use at work.  It is not for insulated lugs due to it cracking the insulation, I just wrap it in tape afterwards.  I have never had one come apart.  For larger ones I have access to a hydraulic crimper.  I am working on relocating my batteries, solar controller,and panels and got the lugs crimped for free with the purchase of lugs and 2/0 cable. 

Jim I don't think I would trust the posi lock.
1997 TK
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #5 –
Quote
Craig, brings up a point that is near and dear to me. I have never had much success with a solder gun or crimping butt connectors. Looking at his link led me to another method called a Posi Lock connector. Anyone have any thoughts about something like that which seems even more foolproof.

Jim
Jim
With Crimp connectors the success rate is dependent on three things.
1. The person doing the crimping..
2. The Tool (Larry has addressed this.)
3. The crimp terminals .    There are some that you just can't make hold a wire no matter what the technique or tool. Others work well. Maybe Larry knows a brand that is high quality. Though I buy stuff from HF in the past their crimp terminals have been near useless. When I was using these regulary it was at work and they bough in bulk and we ordered 25 at a time from the crib or stores.
Garry
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Garry Foster  - 

With Crimp connectors the success rate is dependent on three things.
1. The person doing the crimping..
2. The Tool
3. The crimp terminals .   
There are some that you just can't make hold a wire no matter what the technique or tool. Others work well.  Though I buy stuff from HF in the past their crimp terminals have been near useless.

Any electrical part from Harbor Freight is suspect and will not find its way into my garage.
HF has some decent, cheap tools, you do need to be careful. You get what you pay for.

The best terminals will be marine grade.  Top grade terminals will be tin plated and have attached heat-shrink tubing , to seal the connection. This is the stuff you want to use for wiring batteries, converters, inverters and solar wiring, things that need durable, low resistance connections that also need to be weatherproof. Use it with marine-grade tinned wire and cable for a high quality installation.
Interestingly, soldering is not commonly used in many types of wiring, primarily in equipment subject to heavy vibrations. Solder is brittle and can crack under extreme conditions, hopefully not what your LD is subjected to.
Still, it is one of my favorite ways of attaching wires to each other.

Decent quality terminals can be had at home centers, the grade LD used in wiring our RVs.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #7 –
I've used Ideal brand electrical terminals and connectors in commercial and industrial environments for years.  I've always thought of them as well made with good quality materials. 

I agree with Larry on the Klein tool.  I've been using the same crimper he's linked to for as long as I can remember professionally.  With a terminal sized to the wire it's going on, (stranded wire only of course), and the wire stripped properly, a connection made with one of these will last for a long time.  After a crimp, my final proof is always to pull on the wire\terminal to make sure there is no movement (give) in the connection.  If there is any, I'd do it again. 

Bill




Quote from: Larry Wade  - 
Any electrical part from Harbor Freight is suspect and will not find its way into my garage.
HF has some decent, cheap tools, you do need to be careful. You get what you pay for.

The best terminals will be marine grade.  Top grade terminals will be tin plated and have attached heat-shrink tubing , to seal the connection. This is the stuff you want to use for wiring batteries, converters, inverters and solar wiring, things that need durable, low resistance connections that also need to be weatherproof. Use it with marine-grade tinned wire and cable for a high quality installation.
Interestingly, soldering is not commonly used in many types of wiring, primarily in equipment subject to heavy vibrations. Solder is brittle and can crack under extreme conditions, hopefully not what your LD is subjected to.
Still, it is one of my favorite ways of attaching wires to each other.

Decent quality terminals can be had at home centers, the grade LD used in wiring our RVs.

Larry
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #8 –
I am going to stand by my original post for this reason. A ratcheting crimper can apply a fixed and correct amount of pressure without upsetting my arthritic hands. You tough guys can use the plier type.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
 
Re: Electrical Connectors
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
I am going to stand by my original post for this reason. A ratcheting crimper can apply a fixed and correct amount of pressure without upsetting my arthritic hands. You tough guys can use the plier type.

Don

Nothing wrong with the ratcheting type other than being too big to carry in a pocket.
The plier ope do double as a heavy duty wire cutter.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze