Connections

[Kelvin]

Hi all,

What electrical connections are people using ? I want something that looks tidy, i also want something to wrap around my looms so that they look good aswell.

The red and blue crimp type connections are not what im looking for.

Cheers

Kelvin

[Big Bloke]

Hi Kelvin,

You have three options in terms of protecting your wiring:
1: Complete Convoluted tubing which I have used to cover all of my wiring. This is excellent especially when used with the correct fitting and provided a completely waterproof solution. It is quite expensive however but is avail from: Vehicle Wiring Products in different diameters to suit diffent numbers and thickness of wires.

2: Split convoluted tubing. This is the same as above but has a cut running the length of the tubing. This is especially usefull if you have already wired everything up and the connectors are on the end of the wires preventing you from threading them through the version in number 1. You can tape over the entire length of the tubing to make it water tight once all the wiring is complete if you so wish. I did this with the sections that I used in my car.

3: Electricians tape wrapped around the wires to give then limited protection. Not the neatest but definately the cheapest and often seen in older production cars. This does not protect against heat thought unlike the two options mentioned above which do.

Vehicle Wiring product sell all that you need and their website is:
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/
They are prompt and reliable too.

Cheers
Big Bloke

[cobrabloke]

Just a tip, Your local DIY/Garden centre will sell covoluted tubing and its MUCH cheaper!

[Kelvin]

Thanks blokes

Kelvin

[SimonP]

Don't forget spiral binding. It's available from most electrical/electronic suppliers and in various diameters, lengths and colours.
It may not provide the best protection in an engine bay environment, but it will really neaten dash wiring up.
The advantage is that you can unwrap it and run in extra wires or relocate them with minimum hassle.
We use miles of the stuff at work!

It's good for HiFi and AV too.

Si

[Paul Gayter]

Hi Kelvin,

I used Tyco/Amp Super seal connectors for Lights, wipers, fuel pump etc. I restricted myself to 2,3 and 5 way. These connectors have silicone seals on wire entry and connector body and are good for 125DegC. Available from RS. You will need a crimp tool. For the wire I used Tyco/Raychem ACW 1.5mm CSA and 2.5mm CSA again because it is specifically designed to withstand the heat of the engine compartment up to 150Deg C. It also has very thin insulation (not at the cost of abrasion resistance!. Convaluted tube used was polyamide good for 105Deg C and again available from RS.

For the engine loom I used a Harting HAN connector as it has a good distribution of High/Low current pins. The chassis Loom used a MIL type circular connector simply because I had it already, non the less a very good connector. It should be remembered that for connectors in the engine compartment the pin currents need derating, typically a 16A pin in a multipin housing is only good for 8A at these temperatures. This also applies to the wire.

I have no experience of using garden products for automotive use but have been surprised at the suitabilty of other such unlikely sources, so who knows. I tend to go for safety and use the products specifically designed for the application.

[Kelvin]

Thanks Paul,


By the looks of things the ones you describe in the catalouge are the best of the bunch and the very same as i use at work so avalibility wont be hard or expensive }( . The only problem is that we only use white wires at work so no go there and a lot of it is capston .

Thanks

Kelvin

[Kelvin]

Hi Si,

That stuff i can get hold of very easy didnt think of using that

Cheers Kelvin

[Paul Gayter]

Hi Kelvin,

I used one colour and two wire guages only to reduce cost. Identification is by way of numeric ident. One complete circuit say the parking lights would all be marked with one number even though it consists of some eight or nine wires. The highest number on my loom is around 75 by memory.

I used quite a few Quick Mate connectors so that I could remove the Fuse and Relay Unit and the Dash.

http://www.cobraclub.com/crcforum/user_files/653.jpg

This image shows one of the rear custer's wiring, it will be covered by a panel in due course.

Capton wiring has bad press these days and I would not trust it in engine bay enviroments.

[Kelvin]

Hi Paul,

Looks very tidy, What do you do for a living ? as that is the same sort of thing that we do at work. Hundreds of different systems and only so many colours. White wires and idents are the best way of doing things. Next winter i think the body shell will be off and redo the whole car. Not much fun but worth it.

Kelvin

P.s. But there is nothing wrong with my present loom