Recommended Wire Connectors

[erict]

Ancor adhesive lined heat shrink crimp ring terminals work well but they are expensive. I'm looking for an alternative that is similar in quality and characteristics but costs less.

Here are prices per connector for a ring terminal with yellow wrap (AWG 10-12 gauge) for a #8 stud, generally sold in packages of 3-25.

1. Ancor: $1.25
2. Sailors Solutions (FTZ?): $0.92 LED lighting, soundproof, Sailor's Solutions Inc.
3. Del City: $0.40 http://www.delcity.net/catalogorder
4. 3M product: $0.39 http://www.connectorsupply.com/catalog/heat-shrink-insulated-ring-terminals-p-174.html

Do you have experience or recommendations on these or other products?

[RainDog]

The connectors Sailors Solutions makes are excellent. Better than the Ancor IMHO.

[cabo_sailor]

You might also want to look into a ratcheting crimper for stronger connections. They retail for about $80 to $200 but I bought one for half that on Amazon. You just got to look.

[Wotname]

Cabo is right, the crimping tool is at least as important as the crimp type, if not more important.

Even the best quality crimp is useless if crimped by an inferior tool (or even if crimped by a fool ).

[Mark Johnson]

I get adhesive lined heat shrink in long 3' lengths, and use bare Tinned crimp connectors. I slide on a 2" length of heat shrink, then crimp on the ring connector, (or butts), but never forks.

Then, using the thinnest possible solder and a micro torch, I solder the far end of the barrell on the crimp fitting. With just a quick touch, it does not wick up the wire beyond the barrell, but seals the barrell end and welds the wire to the connector.

Now slide into place & shrink down the heat shrink, untill goo comes out both ends.

Next, fix the entire wiring harness every 6 to 8"...

If done this way, the cost is low, but installation time trippled. The benafit is a virtually submersable wiring harness that is VERY low in resistance, and will last the entire life of the boat that way.

If your boat is a keeper, and you don't want problems down the line, it makes the extra effort the best way to go. I have opened up the heat shrink on my crimps (done this way) 15 years ago, and they are still shiny!

Mark

[goboatingnow]

I would agree with Mark.

The best crimps are first done using an uninsulated crimp. Find the type that have both a wire crimp and a seperate crimp jaw for the insulation and buy the corresponding tool. Then use adhesive lined heat shrink.


FTZ FTZ Industries: Solderless Terminals, Heat Shrink Tubing, Battery Terminals, Wire, Tools, Industrial Connectors, and more make a range of good quality pre insulated crimps.

Dave

[erict]

I have been using the good Ancor ratcheting crimper since my first crimp and it has worked perfectly every time. Maine Sail posted this extremely detailed and well-photographed article about crimping and crimp tools:
Marine Wire Termination Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

I know that soldering can spark a huge debate. I'd prefer not to go down that road. However, I am definitely interested in stand-alone terminals and heat shrink tubing. The issue I have had is identifying the right type of heat shrink. The Ancor ALT + Ancor terminals together cost nearly as much as the all-in-one Ancor adhesive lined heat shrink terminals. Which separates do you recommend--that don't involve solder--as money saving alternatives?

[goboatingnow]

Any good quality unisulated crimp. AMP for example.

Adhesive lined precut ( 1/2") heat shrink is about $25 per 1000 pieces.

Dave

[erict]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Adhesive lined precut ( 1/2") heat shrink is about $25 per 1000 pieces.

Thanks, Dave. Would you post a link for this?

[goboatingnow]

http://www.buyheatshrink.com/heatshr...o1adhesive.htm

Dave

[redfishnc]

Raychem heat shrink. Nuclear grade epoxy lined heat shrink. Have never used better...