Best (good) wire crimper and crimp terminal selection to have in trailer tool box

[gbkims]

Now I would like to find a good terminal set with just the typical ones I use. Most I have looked at have a lot of pieces, and 90% I will never need. Maybe I just need to shop around for 12 to 25 packs and put my own set together. Some butt connectors, ring terminals, spade and flag terminals (did I miss any?) - I probably already have an empty box somewhere. I know Ancor brand is good - are there others? Does Home Depot or Ace hardware carry any good brands. I am trying to think of the local stores in my area that might carry them. I also have 2 electrical supply houses here - don't know if the carry 12v stuff. Any help is appreciated

Thanks as always
Keith


Now back to the LED light quest

The crimper set looks good.

As far a terminal kits, I usually just make them up.
Looking online I saw some Molex terminal kits on Amazon
Wirefy also has a kit. I haven't used any of their products

The electrical supply stores I used at work usually carried T&B Sta-Kon and Panduit.
These are top tier products and their prices reflect that.
Grainger used to carry the same, but I see they've added a brand I don't recognize.

Now days I find Morris Products have good quality at a decent price thru Amazon.
https://www.morrisproducts.com/cable...Management.asp
The Morris terminals I've gotten so far, to my eye are better than the generic brands sold on Amazon or even Gardner Bender you find in big box stores.

Install Bay and NSI Industries on Amazon are also good.

Along the marine products like Ancor, I've gotten some wire from PacerGroup.net
They also carry a lot of wire terminals.
https://www.pacergroup.net/products/...nd-connectors/

Most of these wire terminals from Morris, Install Bay, NSI, PacerGroup, T&B, Panduit are rated 300V or 600V depending on the type of terminal.

[orbiker]

I fix coin washers and dryers for a living for over 30 years. 1.4 more years to go till retirement.

I have gone thru a lot of stripper / crimpers. I was using my brother's Snapon strippers at his HD shop 10 or so years ago. They worked so very easy. 10 minutes later; Snappy Tom (the Snapon Dealer) comes in the shop. Needless to say; I bought new ones for me. They have done great. They were getting a little dull and not stripping as good as before, so I found Tom and he traded in the old ones for a newer better designed set.

I got these. They are even easier to crimp with.

[Yoda]

I fix coin washers and dryers for a living for over 30 years. 1.4 more years to go till retirement.

I have gone thru a lot of stripper / crimpers. I was using my brother's Snapon strippers at his HD shop 10 or so years ago. They worked so very easy. 10 minutes later; Snappy Tom (the Snapon Dealer) comes in the shop. Needless to say; I bought new ones for me. They have done great. They were getting a little dull and not stripping as good as before, so I found Tom and he traded in the old ones for a newer better designed set.

I got these. They are even easier to crimp with.

Thanks for the information, I have a good crimper like the one you show, but my hand strength is getting the better of me, so I got the IWISS one. Thanks for the input.

[Yoda]

The crimper set looks good.

As far a terminal kits, I usually just make them up.
Looking online I saw some Molex terminal kits on Amazon
Wirefy also has a kit. I haven't used any of their products

The electrical supply stores I used at work usually carried T&B Sta-Kon and Panduit.
These are top tier products and their prices reflect that.
Grainger used to carry the same, but I see they've added a brand I don't recognize.

Now days I find Morris Products have good quality at a decent price thru Amazon.
https://www.morrisproducts.com/cable...Management.asp
The Morris terminals I've gotten so far, to my eye are better than the generic brands sold on Amazon or even Gardner Bender you find in big box stores.

Install Bay and NSI Industries on Amazon are also good.

Along the marine products like Ancor, I've gotten some wire from PacerGroup.net
They also carry a lot of wire terminals.
https://www.pacergroup.net/products/...nd-connectors/

Most of these wire terminals from Morris, Install Bay, NSI, PacerGroup, T&B, Panduit are rated 300V or 600V depending on the type of terminal.

Gene
Thank you, this is excellent information. Monday I will call the 2 local supply houses and found out what they carry and pricing. Folks here tend to be very high. I saved over $400 ordering a 3pt sprayer from ZORO over my local dealer - not including his shipping.

[Yoda]

Update
This set arrived yesterday https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
While I haven't looked closely at others I found it to be well built and makes good crimps. It does have a double crimp die and the single crimp die as well as others. I tried a few out on my HF terminals and some spare wire. Found you need good terminals with longer barrel for double crimp to work, but single crimp was a lot better (wider) than my old crimper. Pull test, while not scientific was good on all crimps. I compared to my old crimper where I was able to pull a few out, but that could be do to hand strength/ Wire strippers worked well too. One neat thing is being able to put the terminal in the tool, slightly ratchet to hold it in place in the proper location then insert wire then crimp, thus keeping the wire and crimp location proper. With my old crimper that was hard to do.

IWISS is working on making different additional dies for the tool. The included die appear beefy and well made. They appear to be forged with finish machine work. I don't think the are cast. but could be wrong.

Bottom line, it is easy on my hand and seems. to work well.

Keith

PS shop around, but double check shipping and delivery. IWISS site had it cheaper but shipping put it roughly $30 over amazon and deliver time was long. Other places carry this set too but I could not find any deals better than what I got.

[Beachcamper]

I have one more crimping tool within my price range that I want to ask your opinions on. Last week I was replacing my boat trailer lights and was using heat shrink butt connectors. I have a simple hand crimper it’s a channel lock and it’s very difficult to use with my arthritic small hands. And worse, it tears up the heat shrink. It does give me a sharp wire stripper.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wanted something made in US not mainland China. But also simple and easy to use for closed end crimp connector and heat shrink butt wire connectors with occasional spade. The ones posted have so many attachments don’t think I would ever use them. What do you think of this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Applia...NrPXRydWU&th=1

[Cate&Rob]

Beachcamper Hi Vivian,

I use a set of crimpers with different jaws for different terminals. Much like the set linked by Yoda Keith in post 20. You are correct that jaws intended for regular red/blue/yellow connectors will tear the covering of similar heat shrink connectors. There are other jaws in this set that do a better job on heat shrink terminals although they are not as easy to align with the correct crimp position. With the standard red/blue/yellow connectors, align the end of the connector insulation with the side of the crimper jaw where the coloured dot is and the crimp will be in the right location.

Rob

[Jlawles2]

Beachcamper Vivian, I use the same crimpers for EVERYTHING terminal related that fit in the jaws. Learned it from a guy I trust as he did lots of mobile audio install on extremely HIGH end systems. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Always spike the non split side of the connector. I have gotten to the point I buy seamless non insulated connectors and keep heat shrink in the terminal kit. For strippers, I have a CHEAP but extremely well used set similar to https://www.amazon.com/VCELINK-Autom...%2C144&sr=1-19

My connector kit is a double sided similar to https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-34...-001/315003284 stocked with https://www.amazon.com/AIRIC-Electri...s%2C115&sr=8-3 in various sizes along with https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . I prefer the seamless ones for butt connectors as it allows me to not have to worry about where I spike it. The ring terminals are easier to ensure you get the correct side and much less likely to be in a tight spot when trying to splice.

Yes I may be a bit over the top on connectors, but I hate redoing wiring work. I have gone as far as crimping and soldering the butt connector.

[Beachcamper]

Jlawles2 Joseph, that’s a very good option I had not even considered and probably able to use my crimper. What do you use for the closed end crimps all over the RV like these? And what brand of heat gun?


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Yoda]

Beachcamper Hi Vivian,

I use a set of crimpers with different jaws for different terminals. Much like the set linked by Yoda Keith in post 20. You are correct that jaws intended for regular red/blue/yellow connectors will tear the covering of similar heat shrink connectors. There are other jaws in this set that do a better job on heat shrink terminals although they are not as easy to align with the correct crimp position. With the standard red/blue/yellow connectors, align the end of the connector insulation with the side of the crimper jaw where the coloured dot is and the crimp will be in the right location.

Rob

Beachcamper
Vivian
The set I have is very easy to use and cover's all of the connectors I have needed even the dinky 18 and 22 gauge wiring. Whats great is the ratcheting action and its easy on the hands, I too have problem with grip strength The wire strippers are handy to have in the same case. Its also handy having the hard case to keep everything safe and easy to find.
I see the price has gone up a bit but I would still buy it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also you can get it cheaper here
https://iwiss.store/products/iwiss-s...CABEgIjI_D_BwE

There is a similar soft case version too, but I have not compared the dies.
https://iwiss.store/products/iwiss-r...SABEgLaVfD_BwE
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Interch...a-464203449086

Hope this helps
Keith

On edit - the soft case does not have the die for the heat shrink connectors so look closely at your needs.

[Jlawles2]

Beachcamper Vivian, I do not use those types of connectors, I use butt connectors. In the off chance I need to make a connection like that, I clip a butt connector in half and then let the heat shrink run over the end. For a heat gun I have a Wagner similar to https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-050305...s%2C111&sr=1-8 but a bit older. I probably picked it up at the local orange box store.

[Beachcamper]

Yoda I looked at the Iwiss but maybe I am not understanding the different illustrations. I don’t see one that does the simple butt connectors I mostly use. I see the dies with many other crimps for connectors I have not even heard of. Can you confirm which is the best one of the ones you mentioned for my use? Due to strength issues I just thought this simple US made one might be best for my use in the RV.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001W2285K...1&ref_=_sed_dp

once I run out of all the heat shrink connectors I have, will look into what Jlawles2 mentions and do my own with heat shrink. Buy some quality ones through Ancor or others instead.

[Jlawles2]

Beachcamper Vivian, when you crimp any connector, be sure you look down it and try to get it in the right orientation. For the ones with a seam, you should put the seam so that the die is about centered on the seam. Easiest way to understand this is to put a ring or spade terminal in the pliers so that the ring or spade is parallel with the gap between the dies and note the location of the seam in the die. This should be done for all seamed terminals, thus for butt connectors you will need to look inside them.

[Yoda]

Yoda I looked at the Iwiss but maybe I am not understanding the different illustrations. I don’t see one that does the simple butt connectors I mostly use. I see the dies with many other crimps for connectors I have not even heard of. Can you confirm which is the best one of the ones you mentioned for my use? Due to strength issues I just thought this simple US made one might be best for my use in the RV.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001W2285K...1&ref_=_sed_dp

once I run out of all the heat shrink connectors I have, will look into what Jlawles2 mentions and do my own with heat shrink. Buy some quality ones through Ancor or others instead.

If you look at the die illustrations (jaw application chart) and the type of crimp made (right side of chart) I think you will see the difference in what they do. For basic bulb I used either the 03C (double crimp) or the 125 which is made to use with the heat shrink connector, so for my heat shrink bulbs that is the go to. For bare terminals the 10N is the correct die as it is slightly smaller to account for the lack of insulation.

If you do a search you will find the double crimp is recommended over a single crimp. Rob Cate&Rob put me on to the double crimp when I was looking for my crimping pliers mentioned earlier. However being able to use the double crimp depends on the barrel length of the connectors you get - some cheap (HF) terminals are not long enough. I have since thrown out the HF junk (and most of the Amazon stuff) and try to find Ancor or equivalent. Napa has good ones.

Those pliers you linked will work fine for your butt terminals, but if you get into other connections the extra dies come in handy. One handy thing about the Iwiss is you can set and hold the terminal in the pliers, and be able to hold and fit the wires in without dropping the terminal out of the jaw due to the ratchet action - something I have found very handy at times.

As Joseph mentions you can use non insulated terminals then add heat shrink over them. Its time consuming, but a very good method. For me it is the heat shrink type, make sure the wire depth is correct, crimp and heat shrink. I have lost count on the times I have crimped a bare terminal, only to find out I forgot to put the heat shrink tube on the wire first. It gets frustrating trying to slip heat shrink tubing over a big ring terminal connector after the fact.

Hope this helps
Keith

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Yoda
How do you like the removable jaws feature now that you have used them for a bit? I usually shy away from such tools preferring to buy permanent jaw type in general. Especially in snap ring pliers...