Best electrical tap?

[David_VT]

I am having many corrosion problems with add on wiring due to the tons of salt on my roads. Where I don't want to or can't solder, grease and heat shrink, what tap solutions are out there?



Also, is the tap for the edge to fuel pump line a home made product or something I can find from a supplier? The scotchlock does way too much damage to the OEM wires.



Any ideas are welcome,thx.



(this is mostly about wiring in first responder lights and their controlling circuits that sometimes are cross connected to DC circuits)



(Also, last night I had a tail light off and was ill when I saw all the salt caked up on the interior walls of the bed, especially when the surface looks like primer. . )

 

[delliott]

Liquid Electrical Tape....

I normally use a "western union" connection. That's where you strip about a 1/2 inch of isulation off the wire you want to tap into (without cutting the wire) , then use a screwdriver or pick to seperate the strands so it looks like an "O". You strip at least an inch or so of insulation off the end of the new wire you're adding to the circuit and stick in through the "O" you just created. Then you wrap the new wire around the exposed area of the "O" wire. Then to prevent corrosion and to make a water tight connection, use liquid electrical tape. One place that sells it is Eastwood Company.

The stuff works great and even comes in different colors. According to the import guys, using one of the bright colors (i. e. yellow or red) on your wires will make you truck go faster!



If you ever want to remove the new wire, just cut the liquid electrical tape off, unwrap and pull out the new wire and reinsulate the tapped wire with the same liquid electrical tape.





I hope my rambling made some sort of sense. If not, let me know and I'll post pictures. I used this method for several years working as a car stereo and alarm installer. Makes a very clean install.





David

 

[BarryG]

Another option is to use weatherproof connectors. I have used them many times in the past with good luck. You can probably pick them up at a decent auto parts store. I know I have bought them at NAPA before and Geno's Garage sells them as well. Not foolproof but much better than sealed with tape. I have even coated the ends with silicone rtv in really high exposure areas.

 

[illflem]

The Montana DOT was having considerable problems with Mag-Chloride de-icier eating out the wiring on their trucks. Their solution was crimp connectors with liquid electrical tape. Shrink tubing just doesn't seal tight enough.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Shrink tubing is available in various sizes with an adhesive lining inside that melts as the tubing shrinks to create a waterproof connection.



Casey

 

[BillGotthelf]

Those electrical connectors that Geno's sells are the greatest things I have ever used. I have built many hot rods (latest is a 34 ford coupe) and have used every electrical connection made. The connections are watertight, come apart easy, are reuseable and you can add wires to them. One problem with the liquid electrical tape is that once you open can it has a shelf life of less than 6 months. One day you open can and you get a rubber popsicle.

 

[David_VT]

Thanks for the ideas!