I have been installing quite a few components lately under the hood and dash. I have been using insulated spade connectors on everything. I can't stand how they are difficult to pull apart and sometimes pull the wires out if your grip slips. What other options are out there for connectors that are insulated possibly sealed that others are using. I want something I can disconnect without fighting the connector and will be able to solder/crimp the wire directly to the pins not splicing another connector in. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ryan

 

Weatherpack is a cheap readily accessible plug. It goes by many names this is just the most general.

I have been using deutsch connectors as of late because of some marine applications, but they are a bit more and harder to come by.

Most everything else I have found is OEM and hard to get your hands on in small quantity.

In special cases I have just hit the local yards and clipped plugs on each side making pigtails of each and solder and shrink joints.

HTH

 

posi locks. i think that is the name.. try google. they are a bit bulky but work well and come apart pretty easy. just can be a bit cumbersome if you have a bunch right next to eachother

 

The November 2003 issue of Grass Roots Motorsports had an excellent article on wiring. Their web site shows back issues available if you want to order it.

Resources at the end of the article:


http://delcity.net/
http://www.delphi.com/ (I could find nothing useful here)
http://www.hellausa.com/
http://www.msdignition.com/
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/
http://www.waytekwire.com

 

I use GM weather packs on low amp parts .I buy them by the box ,1 wire 2,3,4wire .

 

I found that http://fordfuelinjection.com has most of the GM Weatherpacks for sale along with other harness diy items.

 

My current favorite is the EN3 series of connectors made by Switchcraft, but the pins are pretty close together so it's not easy to solder. They're really small (about the diameter of your finger), and use 20 gauge wire, so they won't work for every application. They're very waterproof, and not cheap either. Prices are usually $5-20 per side (need both a male and female side), depending on number of contacts (2-18).

http://www.switchcraft.com/

-s-

 

Hey Scotty how well are the pins secured in the housing?

Do you have to be careful to jiggle the plugs together before locking, or are they pretty solid and align perfectly upon insertion?

The smaller multi pin ones always seem to be so chinsy.. how do you think they would fair as a in use connection something that would be used frequently to disconnect and separate from main harnesses?

Thanks

 

Bringing topic from dead

Where do I buy weatherpack connectors locally?
I stopped at CarQuest - they didn't have anything like that..

Autozone? Home Depot?

 

You might look in the Yellow Pages for an electronics store. In my area, there is a store called Electronics Supply Company which has (or can order) connectors for everything.

 

Found site www.weatherpack.com, figured they distribute through NAPA. Called NAPA - they got them

 

If you're pulling wires out, you need a better crimping tool.