Help Crimping Connectors

[D-wayne]

Just wondering if anyone has a link to a how to video for crimping connectors on wiring
Or a little pictorial document would be nice to share.

Thanks for your time and help

Dwayne

[billnorman1]

Start with a good set of crimping tools. The stamped steel ones from Walmart are no good. Then you need good wire strippers that don't nick or cut the conductor. You also need well made crimps, splices or terminal lugs. Many of the Chinese ones do not have enough metal in the barrel to adequately hold the wire.



I'll stop here for a while, but when you get done, your crimp should hold up to a really strong pull. I'd also recommend you buy a bottle of Liquid Electric Tape and some heat shrink, and a hot air gun or a hell of a hair dryer.

[krindgen]

Google and YouTube. But pretty much it's in the tooling. To eliminate doubt, you can find a good crimping tool that is set for each size crimp, blue, yellow, red, etc.

[bobcoy]

D-wayne. If you are not experienced with crimping you will not have good connections unless you get a crimper that is almost foolproof. Unless you are going to start doing this for a living, The only crimper you will want is a ratcheting crimper. It prevents over crimping and will make sure the crimp will hold. Don't get the cheapest one. About $30 if you get decent numbers of reviews and ratings. Only use Marine grade connectors. Read the directions for your crimper. Trust me you don't want to use that old crimper or you will have problems! Guaranteed. JMHO
Can't find the exact ones I got but these will work for #10 to #22 wire. There are others and more options but this is the type to get for a novice:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069TRKJ0..._t1_B017JX8W2I

[SeanH]

Ratcheting crimpers for the smaller gauges are great as mentions.....and Another tip and tool for crimping heavier wires/cable (6 or 8 gauge, etc) would be using this hydraulic crimper from Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/hydrau...ool-66150.html

Or--you can always buy pre-crimped cables from the Board Sponsors like Jones Trolling Motors, etc...

Good luck....Youtube is your friend....

[Ben Danbleume]

Start with a good set of crimping tools. The stamped steel ones from Walmart are no good. Then you need good wire strippers that don't nick or cut the conductor. You also need well made crimps, splices or terminal lugs. Many of the Chinese ones do not have enough metal in the barrel to adequately hold the wire.



I'll stop here for a while, but when you get done, your crimp should hold up to a really strong pull. I'd also recommend you buy a bottle of Liquid Electric Tape and some heat shrink, and a hot air gun or a hell of a hair dryer.

The ones I got a Auto Zone are worthless also.....Get crimpers and connectors of the same brand.

[bobcoy]

Not sure if Brand matters but there are metric and SAE lugs and crimpers. Don't try to crimp them with the other sizes(SAE to SAE and metric to metric only).

[Slim95]

Before I started rewiring my triton I tried to read as much as possible and even joined a couple wire harnessing groups on facebook and followed a couple people on instagram just to see how the pros do it. the first link below is great overall read up on everything wiring from standard automotive to mil spec/F1 standards and will give you a good idea on how to do it properly. Below that is the cheapest source on where to buy sealed quick disconnect connectors and they sell the cheap but very effective crimpers.

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/wiring_ecu.html#connectors- Great read

https://deutschconnectorstore.com/ - Cheapest deutsch connectors I could find

https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-1865...s%2C153&sr=8-5 - cheapest crimpers but still crimp a solid connection

https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-CAT-AM78-CH8172.html - Another very cost effective connector but a little bit bulkier than deutsch connectors (These connectors are all in one, all you need are the Male/Female connectors and the pins)

[ntslam]

I have used these for every thing on my boat from trolling motor cables to 18 gauge wire... I only use non insulated butt connectors with heat shrink over the connections. The butt connectors are cheap and seem to work much better than the insulated connectors

https://www.amazon.com/ProsKit-CP-25...ateway&sr=8-18



https://www.amazon.com/AIRIC-Connect...M1DVNEBT0SFWVJ

[friogatto]

As stated above, the cheep crimps will damage the shrink tube making it useless.
The cheep connectors do not have enough metal in them to make a strong connection.

Stick to a well known readily available brand name.

Ancor 701030 Double Crimp Tool
https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-701030-.../dp/B000NI3EMK

Ancor Heat Shrink Ring Terminals
https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-311225-...7WWB2Z07W9A7N0


Shrink tube:
Double Wall Heat-Shrinkable Tube with Adhesive, very important to be double walled adhesive lined.
Ratio 3:1 allows enough room to slide over connectors and still shrink tight to the wiring.

I Purchase it by the foot and cut as needed. The 2-3" pieces are not typically long enough to cover the butt connector with enough overlap for my comfort.


Heat Gun, I like this model as the smooth handle sits inside a rod holder so i can leave it running between crimps. Nothing fancy but works well without over burning the shrink tube.

Wagner Spraytech Wagner 0503008 HT1000 Heat Gun 2 Temp Settings 750ᵒF & 1000ᵒF
https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Sprayt...gearpublish-20

[Jonestrollingmotor]

As stated above, you have professional tools that are good, but somewhat overkill for the once or twice job. You could almost pay someone to do it (if a small job) for what you're going to pay for the tools. There is also cheap tools that will not make good crimps which is a waste of money.You can get a good pair of Klein for around $40.00, then get the good quality (anco is a good brand) connections. The crimper will almost be self explanatory on where the connections go to crimp. A harbor freight heat gun will take care of the shrink, and shrink can be purchased at several locations, and can be purchased in a roll or 3' sticks.
John