Spliceing Wires

[stick]

What is a good way to splice wires besides useing scotch locks? I know soldering is the best, but time consumeing. I just wondered if there was another way.



Stick

 

[BBuchanan]

How about butt splices? With or without heat shrink.



Brian

 

[rfcom]

The way I splice wires is to strip about 1/2" off the end, twist them together end to end, so it looks like a continuous length of wire, then solder and heat shrink. Although time consuming, I believe this is the best way for reliability and electrical conductivity. For larger wires, a properly crimped butt splice sealed up with heat shrink is better.



OK, I read your question again. For tapping into an existing wire, I strip about 1/2" of insulation, without cutting the wire. The splicing wire is also stripped at the end and twisted around the exposed part of the other wire. Then solder and heat shrink.



Jim

 

[EIvarson]

I've all but given up on heat shrink. I like the self vulcanizing stretch tape from 3M. You don't have to worry about the solder heat shrinking it too soon and you can get it around a 'Y' splice.

 

[stick]

I'm sure soldering is the best, but sometimes it can be a real pain trying to stand on your head and solder one wire in a bundle. I was just wondering if there was something out there with the convience of a scotch lock, but with dependability.



Stick

 

[LSMITH]

Maybe it is just because I have done so many but soldering and shrinking is FASTER than splicing and taping, and you know it is the right way to do it.

 

[Ladders]

Exterior I like the solder and self-vulc tape. Inside I like the screw end barrell connectors (the new style). If I crimp, I'll use the one with the "pin" on the stripper/crimper. keeps the smaller wires in better (but I'll only use these inside) out side I'll crimp AND solder then tape. Or sometimes use the liquid tape if its too hard to get at.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[illflem]

I mostly use heatshink crimp connectors with a pin type crimping tool like Ben recommended. Never use the Scotch-Loc type for tapping into an existing wire but rather cut the existing wire, strip both ends, twist together and crimp into one end of a butt connector. So the new wire I'm tapping in fits well since there are two wires in the other end of the connector I strip it twice as long as it needs to be then fold the striped part back on itself. Heat it to shrink. Works for me and is fast.

 

[dieselshu]

Posi Lock

These work great! you can find them at Napa... separate or in a kit with different size, also have a weatertight boot kit. Reuseable unlike butt connectors.





Dave

 

[stick]

I saw where Geno's has the posi-locks. I looked at the web sight, and they show that quite a few different auto stores carry these. I think I will stop by one and have a look at these.



Thanks

Stick

 

[parcher]

If it's going to be exposed to weather I will crimp a non-insulated connector on, then solder, then heat shrink. if it's on the "inside" then I will sometimes skip the solder.