Dam LED automotive lighting

[juanbenae]

Have done a few things over the last year with LED applications, relocating the license plate & 3rd brake light on the jeep, and today replaced some OE side running lights on my Featherlite car trailer. Thankfully the leads on the trailer to the corroded LEDs were a decent gauge wire. The new fixtures I went to install had like 6 could not see them without my readers aluminum wires that would hardly secure into the splice unless i stripped an inch of insulation, twisted them and folded the skimpy wires 3x.

I recognize the lower demand for current requires less conductor mass, but how can one expect to do anything splicing wise with the micro wires for these fixtures? Save the solder them suggestion cause the heat to solder melts the aluminum hair thickness wires!


Please rate this with many 5 star ratings!

[Zeke]

Sleeve them. You can use the crimp part of the little red spade connector. There may be smaller yet. The OD should slide right in Oh. gotta use a lot of shrink tape with a stiffener inside of the ST or it will break at the sleeve.
Sometimes the spade or barrel part of connectors is universal no matter the color/gauge. So red to blue or Yellow. I bet you know this stuff and have all the parts.

Yes, I've doubled over and soldered.

[rwest]

5 stars as requested!

What about the yellow jackets? They are small crimp connectors for low voltage applications.

[juanbenae]

Man, those yellow jacket connectors are expensive! Thanks for the stars!!!


I used the blue gauge connectors because the OE, copper trailer wire would not fit in the red connectors. I am going to go get some of the liquid electrical tape tomorrow and paint the splices up.

[cabmandone]

I've been soldering and using shrink tubing on those things.

I might give you one star just for asking for 5... the nerve! No Stars for you! NEXT

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve used the small waterproof connectors that are designed for crimping telephone wires (remember those?). The little round connectors with a clear body, you push the wires in and then push the middle button down to crimp them. Works great with small gauge wires.

But yes, I’ve also done the fold over, crimp, then a mile of electrical tape and pray routine.

[911 Rod]

Stripping the insulation off is the hardest part.
Some times I use my teeth or a lighter.