Wire connector secrets ?

[Blind Bobber]

I am installing my new fish finder and extending the power feed line via 22 guage wire and the plastic crimp style wire connectors. I have the apropriate sized connector and crimping tool. However, my connections pull apart easily and I do not trust them. Do you have any secrets on making a good trustworthy conection? What do yo7u use? Any tips ?
BLIND BOBBER:cool:

[jig4herring]

use the correct size plane butt connectors, plane metal ones, use a good crimper that will crimp connections on tight.

Put shrink tubing over the wires before crimping the connector, use a match or heat gun to shrink it over the connection and wires to keep it water tight.

you can also solder the connection, but a good crimper will hold the wires nice and tight.

Also i've used the liquid electrical tape over bare butt connectors. home depot carries it.

Those are the connectors without the plastic sleeves.


Good luck

Terry

[Blind Bobber]

I will try the "bare butt connectors" if I can find them. Not at Home Depot near as I could tell. Anything wrong with wire nuts & tape? That I get.
BLIND BOBBER:cool:

[smalldog]

Anchor makes the heat shrink type that seal with glue and shrink.

[ISeeFish]

22 gauge seems a little small for the FF's 12v supply.

I'll sometimes double the end of the wire over before inserting into the connector on smaller gauge wire. I also like to use heat-shrink over non-insulated connectors.

[baitsauce]

NAPA has them. I don't use them, but if I did I'd soldier those too. Then heatshrink them.

Just like jig4herring said, put the heat shrink over the wires first.

The wife helped me soldier the running lights up tonight on the boat trailer. When splicing wires I slip a long(er) heatshrink over the wire first then a shorter one. After the solder connection is made (to my liking) and after it cools, slip the shorter heatshink over the splice, heat it with a torch then (after it cools) slip the longer heatshrink over the first, shorter heatshrink. Then heat it.

Probably don't need to double heatshrink, but it only takes a few seconds longer and it sure doesn't hurt to have it "double wrapped", especially in a marine environment. :twocents:

//

[fishkisser]

I solder all connections , coat with dielectric grease , and seal with shrink tubing ...
Make sure to slide shrink tubing over one of the wires first ,and allow 3/8 " over each side of the splice ...
Solder , allow to cool and coat with dielectric grease ...
Slide proper diameter shrink tube ( that you put over one wire before soldering ) over the splice and use a lighter or heat gun to shrink it onto splice ...
Sometimes if the splice will see lots of weather or is in the bilge , I will wipe it down with acetone let dry and coat with liquid electric tape also in addition to the above ...:twocents:

[Orca]

I concur - solder / heat shrink.

[Gundog]

22 Gauge is really small wire. I have some phone type connectors that work really good on that size wire. I would pass on butt connectors for that size wire and opt for solder or phone type splices.

Mike

[Gundog]

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160709w345.jpg

These are the connectors I am talking about. You can connect up to 3 wires with each connector and they have some silicone in them to seal up the connection. To crimp you just push down on the red part with a pair of pliers with the wires pushed into the holes. You could heat shrink them also if you wanted to but I don't think it would necessary unless you plan to submerge the connections. This picture came from the Radio Shack web site.
Mike

[baitsauce]

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160709w345.jpg

These are the connectors I am talking about. You can connect up to 3 wires with each connector and they have some silicone in them to seal up the connection. To crimp you just push down on the red part with a pair of pliers with the wires pushed into the holes. You could heat shrink them also if you wanted to but I don't think it would necessary unless you plan to submerge the connections. This picture came from the Radio Shack web site.
Mike



We call them "scotch-locs" in the phone business and for that they work really well. However, these are designed to splice a single strand copper conductor. It would NOT be advisible to use them on multi-strand wire. In order to work they cut into the insulation then the conductor. In using them for a multi-strand wire they will cut several of the strands thereby weakening the connection. And although "normal" pliers will crimp them closed, it takes special pliers to crimp them properly closed. :twocents:

//

[Okie]

22ga wire is to small. Your depth finder will work but will not work correctly because of the resistance of the wire limits the power to the unit. It's much better to go to a heavy gage wire than to have a conducter that is to small. Better to be to large than to small to carry the correct current and voltage requred to operate the unit.

Good Luck

[Raining_Kings]

Try west marine for the anchor wire splices that have heat shrink built into them. You crimp them, then heat the fitting and it contracts around the wire without having to use extra heat shrink tubing. Fishermens had some too when I was looking last, but West Marine had a broader selection.

[wsuweston]

Solder:twocents:

[Danno]

Crimps are good but soldering them makes them all but bulletproof. Soldering also means that the plastic tube over the crimp area has to be removed (they pull off fairly easily so don't sweat trying to find ones without them). If the circuit overheats, it can melt the solder so crimping is still a must have.

The heat shrink tube performs a number of functions:
- Strengthens the wire when pulling the connector off of a fuse block.
- Stiffens the wire and reduces failure due to wire fatigue (bending stress)
- When used in conjunction with a soldered wire, it seals the wire from moisture penetration up the jacket. Make sure to get the adhesive lined shrink tubing.
- Get red and black and you can color code your + & - leads.

West Marine is overpriced. Joe's used to be good to buy this stuff. Fishermann's always has incomplete stock on connectors. Try an electronics store.

[cutbait]

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160709w345.jpg

These are the connectors I am talking about. You can connect up to 3 wires with each connector and they have some silicone in them to seal up the connection. To crimp you just push down on the red part with a pair of pliers with the wires pushed into the holes. You could heat shrink them also if you wanted to but I don't think it would necessary unless you plan to submerge the connections. This picture came from the Radio Shack web site.
MikeRaymarine ships smiliar connectors with there gps recievers (stranded wire) and such filled with silicone grease.They work if done rite.prefer other methods.22g seems small may match wires coming from unit but if extending should move up to 16g depending length or run.soldering is good done rite self sealing shrink tube as mentioned in other posts.:twocents:

[Speedy TJ]

In the past i have responded to questions about DC wiring.having worked in the automotive field and later in telecommunications .the question is a good one and will help anyone working with DC wiring in a marine application.the wire gauge has already been addressed (to small).the connectors are available insulated,non-insulated,insulated with shrinkwrap and adhesive.shrink wrap is made with 2:1 shrink and 3:1 shrink with adhesive.i like to use the 3:1 w/adhesive on the boat.we have a store in salem called Norvac Electronics that sells the supply's you will need to do a first class job.there are probably electronics stores in your area also.Please don't cut corners on marine wiring,it will cost you later.with a little practice and the right tools and supply's you can do a first class job.Also,please buy a VOLT/OHM meter if you don't already have one.and use it.

mike s.:twocents:

[Blind Bobber]

My thanks to all for your input on my wiring dilema. The Garmin book says 22 guage wire should be used when extending DC power. I agree that is super small wire and possibly part of my problem. So if I was to go with a biggter wire is it hard to find a connector that takes you from 22 to larger size wire? I will solder and shrink wrap using metal conectors.
BLIND BOBBER:cool:

[Speedy TJ]

My thanks to all for your input on my wiring dilema. The Garmin book says 22 guage wire should be used when extending DC power. I agree that is super small wire and possibly part of my problem. So if I was to go with a biggter wire is it hard to find a connector that takes you from 22 to larger size wire? I will solder and shrink wrap using metal conectors.
BLIND BOBBER:cool:
BB i recently did some work on my FF/GPS (garmin)and also found they use very small wire (22ga.).i just stripped the wires and twisted together and soldered followed with heat shrink.those small wires are a PITA to work with.good luck to you, mike s.