Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Electrical Parts - Connectors for 12VDC systems

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    Electrical Parts - Connectors for 12VDC systems

    If you need to make a repair to a 12V wire while on the road, I like to use some of these parts:

    3M Scotchlok Connectors - Can be used to join 2 or 3 wires very quickly. And they contain a dielectric grease to minimize water penetration.
    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...&psc=1&fpw=alm

    Heat shrink terminal kit - This kit contains an assortment of terminals and connectors that can be crimped. The sleeving is heat shrinked to help prevent water intrusion. Don't forget to carry a crimping tool if you purchase these.
    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...&psc=1&fpw=alm

    Please feel free to add your recommendations to this thread.

    Jim
    Jim and Ginnie
    2024 Solitude 310GK - 2020 F350 Dually
    GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
    GDRV Rally Support Coordinator
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Jim, I’ll second those products as being very handy for repairs and installation, both on the road and at home.

    The links come up to Amazon Fresh pages, which many people can’t use. No pricing or anyway to get to the regular Amazon page without doing a search, so it might be handy to change those to regular Amazon links.
    John & Kathy
    2014 Reflection 303RLS
    2014 F250 SC SB 6.2

    Comment

    • #3
      Great thoughts Jim! I also carry this small set. I love these for connecting different size wires, even if only to get me going again until I have time to do something more permenant.

      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&psc=1&fpw=alm
      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​

      Neil Citro
      2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
      2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
      • Likes 2

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by ncitro View Post
        Great thoughts Jim! I also carry this small set. I love these for connecting different size wires, even if only to get me going again until I have time to do something more permenant.

        https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&psc=1&fpw=alm
        Wago connectors are a vast improvement over wire nuts and 3m wire taps! Easy to use and strong connections.

        Comment

        • #5
          Those look much improved over the original scotchlocks.
          2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
          Electricians were created because engineers need heroes too....

          Comment

          • #6
            Scotchloks are more permanent.
            If you expect to make a more permanent connection latter, clamp-ons are more practical.
            Both are good depending on the situation. I prefer wire-nuts or soldered connections for higher amperage fixes.

            2021 Momentum 25G
            2018 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn
            2009 Honda VTX 1300T

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by TucsonJim View Post
              If you need to make a repair to a 12V wire while on the road, I like to use some of these parts:

              3M Scotchlok Connectors - Can be used to join 2 or 3 wires very quickly. And they contain a dielectric grease to minimize water penetration.
              https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...&psc=1&fpw=alm

              Heat shrink terminal kit - This kit contains an assortment of terminals and connectors that can be crimped. The sleeving is heat shrinked to help prevent water intrusion. Don't forget to carry a crimping tool if you purchase these.
              https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...&psc=1&fpw=alm

              Please feel free to add your recommendations to this thread.

              Jim
              Jim I am surprised on the3M Scotchlok recomendation as they are a knife stile connector where the knife is pushed through the wire insulation to make connection cutting wire strands in the process. Watch the video to see the knives. To me they are just as bad as the typical wire splice connectors https://www.amazon.com/G%C2%B7PEH-So...s%2C210&sr=1-3

              The Scotchlink connectors that GD used failed on my radio.speaker wiring. I had to replace all of them. I use the bulb style to tie wires together https://www.amazon.com/Wirefy-280-Cl...2&s=hi&sr=1-11

              The Wago connectors that Neil mentioned are excellent too. I have a set in my tool box.

              I have also found it easier to use good quality standard crimp connectors (like ANCOR) and add glue lined heat shrink tubing over the connection . Even with the correct crimping tool I found many times the heat shrink insulation tore during the crimping process.. This is the crimper set I have and works very well. https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Ratchet...0&s=hi&sr=1-11 Its compact enough to carry too.

              Just my thoughts

              Keith
              2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

              Comment

              • #8
                Yoda Yeah I gave up on scotchlok a long time ago. I like the Wago ones for a quick repair, and also for matching up wire of different sizes (a constant in my RV).
                Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​

                Neil Citro
                2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
                2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by Yoda View Post

                  Jim I am surprised on the3M Scotchlok recomendation as they are a knife stile connector where the knife is pushed through the wire insulation to make connection cutting wire strands in the process. Watch the video to see the knives. To me they are just as bad as the typical wire splice connectors https://www.amazon.com/G%C2%B7PEH-So...s%2C210&sr=1-3

                  The Scotchlink connectors that GD used failed on my radio.speaker wiring. I had to replace all of them. I use the bulb style to tie wires together https://www.amazon.com/Wirefy-280-Cl...2&s=hi&sr=1-11

                  The Wago connectors that Neil mentioned are excellent too. I have a set in my tool box.

                  I have also found it easier to use good quality standard crimp connectors (like ANCOR) and add glue lined heat shrink tubing over the connection . Even with the correct crimping tool I found many times the heat shrink insulation tore during the crimping process.. This is the crimper set I have and works very well. https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Ratchet...0&s=hi&sr=1-11 Its compact enough to carry too.

                  Just my thoughts

                  Keith
                  I assumed from the way it was written, Jim was recommending connectors that would be handy to 'git'r'done' on the side of the road and/or mid trip until you had the time and facilities to make a permanent repair/mod. To which, I think a scotchlock is well suited.
                  2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
                  Electricians were created because engineers need heroes too....

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I carry a little bit of everything, some are for quick and dirty fixes and some are for when I have the luxury of time.
                    2021 Reflection 337RLS, 2021 Silverado 3500HD 6.6 gas. Nellie the wonder boxer

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Scott'n'Wendy View Post

                      I assumed from the way it was written, Jim was recommending connectors that would be handy to 'git'r'done' on the side of the road and/or mid trip until you had the time and facilities to make a permanent repair/mod. To which, I think a scotchlock is well suited.
                      Scott - your probably correct for a quick fix, but with a crimper tool set and the correct crimp fittings you can do the same job just as fast and only need to do it once. You might laugh at me, but getting a set of pliers on the scotchlock, keeping the wires inserted, and having enough hand strength to close was a problem for me - sometimes easy to do and sometimes I end up saying lots of bad words. With a bulb end fitting, you strip the wires, twist together, put the bulb fitting on and crimp closed. Easy and takes up less room to install than the scotchlock

                      Whats nice is the WISS crimp tool I got has lots of dies with it and has come in real bandy for my RV fixes, projects, and helping fellow campers, and my larger crimp set from Temco that does battery lugs and goes as small as 10wag https://temcoindustrial.com/th0005-v...h-32-die-sets/ I can pretty much handle any crimping that needs to be done. They both will be used on my DC=DC project when I get to it.

                      Just food for thought Besides getting folks to spend money on the proper tools is a requirement around here correct

                      Happy Holidays folks
                      Keith
                      Last edited by Yoda; 12-17-2021, 11:32 PM.
                      2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Yoda Keith, I prefer crimp and solder also. Not really a fan of the squash style crimpers you linked unless you are using the non insulated dies. I use a klein set similar to these for everything https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Cri...s%2C120&sr=8-8 even insulated connectors. Always look through the connector to see what way the internal stopper is punched in from and put the spike on that side. I've even taken butt connectors and re formed them with the part of the pliers between the cup and the cutter to make it smaller for the heat shrink and to help prevent it from punching through the heat shrink.

                        I've also recently started using the seamless butt connectors. They appear to be much more forgiving should one forget to look down the throat and see where the seam is when putting them in the pliers.
                        I guess it's personal preference as to what style of crimper you use. If it works for you, keep doing it until something fails, then make changes. If it's not broke, you are not trying hard enough.
                        Joseph
                        Tow                         Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                        Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                        South of Houston Texas

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post
                          Yoda If it's not broke, you are not trying hard enough.
                          Yes the Red Green method

                          2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Yoda View Post
                            Yes the Red Green method
                            Its a good thing we are all pretty handy
                            2021 Reflection 337RLS, 2021 Silverado 3500HD 6.6 gas. Nellie the wonder boxer

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Yoda Keith, one more tool to spend money on and add to the box. https://www.amazon.com/OTC-5950A-Cri...52324722&psc=1

                              Not something that one needs often, but there are more times than I can count those would have been helpful. Considering adding a set to my collection of odd tools.
                              Joseph
                              Tow                               Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                              Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                              South of Houston Texas

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Working...
                              X