Should have staggered the splices by the length of the splice, makes for a smaller footprint
Recommended Electrical Connectors?
- Thread starter SSTJ
- Start date
I'm aware. We buy stuff from Aircraft Spruce all the time since they aren't that far from us.
I feel your pain, looks a lot like my crimper drawer. I have 1 at work and 1 at home.
OP
I've decided to just start buying my wiring consumables in bulk whenever something comes up that I need. Gets way too tiring always being a piece short here and there, and waiting a week for my $4 order with $10 shipping to show up from DC, Mouser, etc.
Needed 1 single 14 gauge 3/8" stud ring terminal. So I bought a 1000 of them for $35 on eBay.
Shouldn't need to buy that size for the rest of my life at least lol
Needed 1 single 14 gauge 3/8" stud ring terminal. So I bought a 1000 of them for $35 on eBay.
Shouldn't need to buy that size for the rest of my life at least lol
It is fully exhausting. I have been overbuying as well. Bought 500 butt splices and 500 spades at DC last time. Bought 200 the first time and they lasted a few months with several big projects and me wasting a lot of them. Should go longer now.
As for the 1000 ring terminals you just bought, if I were you my luck would be I need a 16 gauge 5/16 next time
Yeah, I finally figured out there was a Platt electrical local to me and they had some nice ILSCO heavy duty power lugs, but all their smaller stuff for sale is the same cheap shit at home Depot and the like.It is fully exhausting. I have been overbuying as well. Bought 500 butt splices and 500 spades at DC last time. Bought 200 the first time and they lasted a few months with several big projects and me wasting a lot of them. Should go longer now.
As for the 1000 ring terminals you just bought, if I were you my luck would be I need a 16 gauge 5/16 next time
I'm sure there will be other needs, but if I can find it at $.035 a piece, you bet I'll be buying a thousand of them
These are my favorite. I also buy their heat shrink.
Wirefy 270 PCS Heat Shrink Wire Connectors - Marine Grade Electrical Connectors Kit - Automotive Crimp Terminals - Insulated Ring Spade Fork Hook Butt Splices - 22-10 Gauge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GXQMP66/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Wirefy 270 PCS Heat Shrink Wire Connectors - Marine Grade Electrical Connectors Kit - Automotive Crimp Terminals - Insulated Ring Spade Fork Hook Butt Splices - 22-10 Gauge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GXQMP66/?tag=wranglerorg-20
OP
Finally returning to this thread. Yes, after exploring Mouser and TE.com some more, and even calling both, I don't think I can justify the time and energy it would take to choose from among those options. Del City looks like a simpler website with the basics that I need, so I'll be spending some money there soon. I just wish I didn't have to buy in multiples of 100, because all I really need is about 20 of each to have on-hand.
I use almost exclusively Aptiv (aka Delphi) Metri-Pack 280 series connectors. They crimp on, snap in place, and are extremely durable, as well as highly waterproof. And they are reconfigurable. The 280 series supports anywhere from 24 AWG to 10 AWG wires, and connectors from 1 to upwards of 200 connections per connector.
These are also the exact same terminals used in the Eaton Bussmann fuse and relay modules. The terminals are sized such that they also fit bladed fuses and micro-relays.
In my Bussmann writeup (on Page 3) I also have a quick writeup on how to use the Metri-Pack terminals to create a waterproof connector.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bussmann-auxiliary-fuse-and-relay-module-installation.19796/
I almost always order these from Waytek Wire:
https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1624/Aptiv-Metri-Pack-280-Series/
These are also the exact same terminals used in the Eaton Bussmann fuse and relay modules. The terminals are sized such that they also fit bladed fuses and micro-relays.
In my Bussmann writeup (on Page 3) I also have a quick writeup on how to use the Metri-Pack terminals to create a waterproof connector.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bussmann-auxiliary-fuse-and-relay-module-installation.19796/
I almost always order these from Waytek Wire:
https://www.waytekwire.com/products/1624/Aptiv-Metri-Pack-280-Series/
Problem with metripack is they gape extremely easily compared to deutsch. Deutsch is the gold standard of connectors, they are just ungodly expensive right now due to supply chain issues.
OP
Have you also tried the black pre-cut pieces? What do you prefer about the colored ones? I see that it does have a higher shrink ratio.
I have not since I still have lots of the longer stuff. I don't prefer the color stuff, that is just how it comes and I like the translucency.
I’ve never run into any issues myself, even after 200+ connections. They are used in a number of OEM applications, but happen to be available to the aftermarket as well.
The connectors themselves are quite durable, though my experience is almost exclusively with the waterproof ones, which have 1-6 connections per connector. Wire pull-out resistance is actually quite impressive, especially if you add the optional locking clips on each end of the connector.
I primarily like them because I can put them anywhere, even where they will be sprayed with water and road salt, and not worry about intrusion.
The other thing I like about them is they are easily reconfigurable. Simply poke the tool in under the terminal and it slides back out, with all parts being reusable (unless a new crimp is needed).
The only suggestions I would have about the Metri-Pack 280 series is to really focus on the crimping of the terminals to both the wire strands and especially the sheath. The sheath crimp protrusions should overlap, and not just butt up against one another. A proper crimp will give a wire a pull-out resistance of at least 20 lbs, usually much higher on larger wires.
My only real gripe with them is that they are rather bulky compared to other connectors, though waterproof connectors do tend to be larger than non-waterproof.
OP
OP
Another question for the group:
Why butt connectors instead of "parallel" connectors? If I understand correctly, a butt connector (whether split, brazed, or solid barrel) doesn't allow the two ends of the wire to come into contact with each other. Instead, the connector itself is the conduit between them. But a parallel connector, or an open-barrel connector, would allow the wires to be in direct contact with each other, even allowing for some solder if needed. Isn't a direct connection always better?
Why butt connectors instead of "parallel" connectors? If I understand correctly, a butt connector (whether split, brazed, or solid barrel) doesn't allow the two ends of the wire to come into contact with each other. Instead, the connector itself is the conduit between them. But a parallel connector, or an open-barrel connector, would allow the wires to be in direct contact with each other, even allowing for some solder if needed. Isn't a direct connection always better?