Electrical Repairs

[Semper_Dad]

OK, so I'm finally at the point where I need to permanently fix some of the band-aid electrical repairs on my car. Mostly broken or loose F style slip-on crimped connectors.

Today was the last straw. I jumped into my car to cruise downtown in order to have a leisurely breakfast. Started right up and then died with in seconds. Attempted to restart but just wouldn't go. Took a look in the engine compartment only to see the some smoke coming off the coil to Cutoff valve to choke wire. Yanked the connection loose from the coil. + Coil wire from ignition was OK but the jumper wire was crispy. Need to replace it ASAP. I'm guessing the choke wire had come loose and grounded itself.



So,...my question is... Who uses what brand and style crimper to reproduce OEM style connections? Where is the best source for connectors. The local auto part place here seem to only carry the cheap tools and connectors (aluminum?)

German Supply seams to have the correct tool and connectors.

http://www.germansupply.com/home/customer/product.php?productid=17094&cat=278&page=2

Anyplace else?
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[Ron Domeck]

McMaster-Carr has the connectors. I bought my tool from Mac Tools.

[Semper_Dad]

[citroen]

also i covered my connections with shrink wrap so if they fell off it has a better chance of not shorting out





the right crimper for a good connection i bought mine at home depot in the electrical section made by thomas and betts

[Semper_Dad]

[Al Capulco]

I would buy the connectors from german supply, they have already done all the work for you. The cost may be a little more per connector but they are the right ones. As far as a crimper, I like my AMP #47044. It will only crimp 18-16 but it has the ability to hold the connector in place and crimp both crimps at the same time. I bought several crimpers before the AMP and they didn't work very well. The F type connector is a great connector but very hard to crimp properly without the right tool. You can sometimes fine the AMP crimper used on Ebay for less than $30.

[Captain Spalding]

I have discussed this issue with some buddies who work in aerospace. They recommend ratcheting crimpers, because they make a consistent crimp every time that is not dependent on the user's grip strength.

They also recommend using the same brand of crimper and terminals. That way you know the crimper is properly matched to the terminals.

As for the notion of heat-shrink tubing providing strain relief (with all due respect to Semper Dad) I think that if you are depending on heat shrink for strain relief, your connection is going to have other problems.

[Semper_Dad]

[mondshine]

I am pretty happy with the Paladin 8000 "Crimpall" with the 2033 die like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JJJ6B6/ref=pd...2ER5DGSDRE

If you have the time to order and wait, a nice source for good quality Open Barrel terminals is Eastern Beaver;
http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Terminals/terminals.html

Good luck, Mondshine