15 replies to this topic

[liirge]

Hiya guys,
im not well today, so i have decided to do some work to m Wiring loom in the dining room.
I have got some loom tape, and some single and double rubber connector things, and a box of copper plugy things, and some crimpers.

Anyone got any tips before i start?


Kindest Regards

[Jupitus]

Sounds like you are using bullet connectors in the double ended metal sleeve encased in rubber... if so, you will need to be careful when crimping the bullet connectors onto the wire as it needs to be VERY firmly done. I have a rather nice, but expensive, ratchet crimping tool for bullets which has a small diameter hexagonal hole and does a six-sided crimp around the bullet. Every wire I crimp with this is double crimped into the bullet. Also, take a look at the diameter of the hole in the bullet... there are different types for different wire thicknesses. If you don't get these parts right, the wire will be in danger of just pulling out of the back end of the bullet... try a few test ones first to get the hang of it.

When you come to inserting the bullet connector into the sleeve it will be quite a tight fit. Make sure it is pushed home well. Again, there is a tool available which I have called a closer, I think. Without this you may try using a pair of pliers to ease the terminal into place.

Don't wrap individual wires in the tape - if you do the above well then they will be insulated and you can then wrap the wires together as appropriate. The loom tape quickly builds up the thickness of the loom if you use too much!

In general, don't use thinner wire than the ones you are repairing.... the newer thinwall cable is slightly thinner than the older wire so if you use this you may have differing thicknesses but check the current the circuit is likely to have to make sure the wire is suitable for the task.

Take your time, do some practise joins, pull on the test connections to make sure you are getting the wire gripped firmly and you should be fine

[liirge]

Cheers, mate that was really useful,
i was just thinking the bullet connections do i strip the wire and crimp, or does the bullet connector have teeth inside to form a connection

Kindest Regards

[Jupitus]

You need to strip the wire so that the exposed portion fits snugly to the front of the bullet, but does not extend out of the back of the bullet, and then crimp it firmly. There aren't teeth inside it so it needs to be quite tight

EDIT: Also, moisture etc is your enemy - make sure your hands are clean when doing it if possible too, and try to not touch the exposed wires any more than is necessary...

Edited by Jupitus, 03 April 2008 - 01:13 PM.

[liirge]

You need to strip the wire so that the exposed portion fits snugly to the front of the bullet, but does not extend out of the back of the bullet, and then crimp it firmly. There aren't teeth inside it so it needs to be quite tight

Thanks alot jupitus, im gonna make a start in a min or 5!!
Really helpfull, i'll let you know how i get on!

Kindest Regards

[Jupitus]

Good luck!

[Jammy]

Just out of interest, I don't do a great deal of electrical stuff, but I am interested in doing things properly, and a custom loom might be on the horizon. Where and how much can I get these bullet crimpers and closers?

[Jupitus]

I got mine when I was placing an order with Pole Volt:

TT60 Closing tool for 4.7mm bullet terminals £12.33
TT85 HD Crimp tool for hex crimping 4.7mm bullet terminals £38.63

Expensive business, this wiring lark

[Jammy]

Ah, thats really not as expensive as I thought! I was expecting them (the crimping tool at least) to be closer to the £100 mark or over.

[Jupitus]

I'm not grumbling really - they're well made and do the job very well

Worst terminals to crimp are the hooge battery post ring terminals... couldn't get a tool for that so it's a case of get the wire in place, get a screwdriver on the neck of it and whack hard with a hammer before soldering

[GraemeC]

Problem is Jammy, that is just the tools for bullets! There's a different crimp tool for un-insulated crimp terminals (spades etc) and a different one again for the common & garden insulated terminals.

As said Pole Volt do a good range as do Vehicle Wiring Products.

[Jupitus]

Actually, the only other crimp tools I use are:

TT70 Budget crimp tool for a varity of non insulated terminals £2.96

for wire stripping

TT71 Robust crimp tool for a varity of non insulated terminals £8.60

for crimping other terminals. However, in my arsenal when wiring are also:

Long nose pliers
Normal pliers
Scissors
Hammer
Large screwdriver (for battery connections)
Tinsy winsy screwdriver
Tin snips
Soldering iron
Heat shrink wrap
Multimeter

[Jammy]

Problem is Jammy, that is just the tools for bullets! There's a different crimp tool for un-insulated crimp terminals (spades etc) and a different one again for the common & garden insulated terminals.

As said Pole Volt do a good range as do Vehicle Wiring Products.

Yea, I have another crimping tool for terminals, but not sure whether its for insulated or un-insulated. To be honest though, for a tool I'll probably use infrequently, but for a good 20 years to come (possibly), £40 isn't that bad.

[liirge]

Yer i have about 3 different sized crimpers, dont use them often at all, but when i do use them, boy am i glad ive got them, just like the small punch for the roll pin on rod change boxes, not used often but glad i have it!!

[Jupitus]

I'm back home now - you getting on ok?