Electrical Connectors

[FarmerPug]

If adding extra electrical stuff onto a car what is the best sort of connectors to use, normally soldering and heat shrink is best if it needs to be permanent but if the part needs to be removed it would be best if there was a plug that could be removed. What i the best sort of plug to use for 12v stuff?

[mjb]

Depends. Very low current stuff I'd use a data connector (I've wired up a D8 trip computer using a DB9 RS232 serial connector in the past). Lowish current I'd go for crimped shielded spade/bullet connectors (tape up when disconnected). Higher currents I'd go for something involving screws...

Hmm wonder if I could do some soldering and replace my stereo's dodgy connector and cumbersome adapter with an IDE ribbon...

[steve_earwig]

This is a real "how long is a piece of string?" question - there are loads of different types of connectors but it really depends how much you want to spend. I'm ok with using insulated crimp spades inside the car as they'll (hopefully) never get wet but must be used with a decent crimping tool and by that I mean with a ratchet, I wouldn't be happy just using the cheap junk you get for a couple of quid from Halford's.

[mild thread hijack]
I've actually been doing a fair bit of looking recently, have a look at this lot: http://www.polevolt.co.uk/acatalog/Wate ... ctors.html There's no surprise that some of these look familiar; all the wiring looms on our cars (bikes, washing machines...) are bought in, Pug don't make this stuff themselves you know...

I've actually been charged with rewiring this:

My mate Goran's Moto Guzzi (mostly) LeMans 4.







And what did I see when we were taking it to bits? It uses Molex connectors That's the same same sort of connectors as used in a pc (although these are 2.63mm instead of 2.03mm and made by Molex themselves, not under license by Amp...). I did look into replacing them with something more modern but it started getting prohibitively expensive so it's back to Molex. Hey, they lasted 30 years and the only reason I'm replacing them now is the insulation on the wires has gone brittle and the whole lot needs changing.

[Welly]

*Looks at:




*Thinks of:

[teamster1975]

I don't envy you that one Steve, what an abortion!

FarmerP; you could use Tamiya connectors, same as you get on an optimate.

[steve_earwig]

*Looks at:




*Thinks of:



I dunno what the problem is anyway, I used to work with much more wires for BT back in the dim and distant past I could do with a better wiring diagram, this is about the closest I've found so far http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/ ... ns_III.gif but it's for a US model so there's stuff there that Goran's bike aint got (e.g. hazards). I'll be making the Molexes up on the bench and then introducing them to the bike, then the problem will be leaving the cables loose enough so the headstock can turn freely without fowling on anything. I'll also have to draw my own wiring diagram & make up my own colour codes because there's very little available here. I did suggest finding a wiring loom off a fairly recent car but they still want a small fortune for even a damaged one

[FarmerPug]

I don't envy you that one Steve, what an abortion!

FarmerP; you could use Tamiya connectors, same as you get on an optimate.

Thanks teamster thats exactly the sort i was looking but could not think of the name to search for them.