Basic Wire Splicing?

DGL · 09-09-2007, 05:48 PM

OK so this might seem like a little thing but those are the ones that always seem to get me in the end.

What is the "right way" to splice into turn signal/tail light wires? I am installing trailer wiring (for a mini track tire and jack trailer) and I want to make 100% trouble free, never have to think about it again splices.

The wiring kit came with squeeze down connectors similar to these:

First of all they look really bad and second I am pretty sure using these will have me doing a pocket knife and racers tape repair in a McDonald's parking lot during a thunderstorm and while such stories of my misery are always a hit at happy hour I would just assume not.

Anyone have a trade secret, never fails wire splicing formula they care to share?

widgeon13 · 09-09-2007, 05:56 PM

soldering is the best in my book and then shrink tubing to cover the splice, it's strong, reliable and lasts and is very neat. I hate those cheap plastic things and you're right about doing a repair in some parking lot with thunder banging in the background and rain coming down like cats and dogs.

bell · bell's Garage

don't use scotchlock type connectors......they will eventually fail and sometimes break the wire it's tapped into.
i would strip back the wire to be tapped, use a test light or pick to separate the wire which you will wrap your added wire through, then wrap it around tightly and tape, put a zip tie around the tape and splice and it will never ever fail.
you could solder if you want a permament connection.

ianc · 09-09-2007, 06:49 PM

You're right about that rubbish pictured at top.

A second on the soldering and heat shrink tubing. Can't fail,

ianc

WolfeMacleod · 09-09-2007, 06:53 PM

Solder.
Then use "liquid electrical tape" over the joint to prevent moisture.
Then use heat shrink tubing with an adhesive center.

HarryD · 09-09-2007, 07:45 PM

Try this thread for some ideas: Wiring question, solder or butt connectors?

LakeCleElum · 09-09-2007, 09:08 PM

I've used those crap connectors and a year or two down the road, had the main wire break........Then I'm TU..............

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Scotch locks are good to get you back on the road if you break down somewhere, and then promptly repaired correctly when you get home!

burgermeister · burgermeister's Garage

Previous posts said it all....

If it's inside the car, you could use a crimp splice and run a pigtail off one of the ends - but it's almost as much work as soldering, and still not as good.

RoninLB · 09-10-2007, 04:52 AM

for entertainment

In one of my marine wire books...marine ABYC standards is satisfied w/quick connections if it will stay together with a 10# pull on #18 wire and a 40# on #10 wire pull or more. And have a voltage drop of under 50mV w/a 20 amp current.

DGL · 09-10-2007, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the information, I knew those things just didn't seem like a good idea.

The link to the previous discussion was also very helpful, not sure how I missed that one when I searched...