Wiring tools
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:46 am
Saw the article about crimping tools a couple of weeks ago and wanted to pass on what I used when installing my new harnesses.
I agree the bullets really need securing to the plastic covering which is not easy with most bullets, however Vehicle Wiring Products in the UK (see website) do a crimped bullet that allows this to happen as it provides for crimping the copper wires as well as the outer sleeve. However I would recommend using something like the correct Ripaults (mines quite old now) crimping tool which effectively folds the sides of the terminal over and forms what might be loosely a "W" shape and really tightens down on the wire. If you can imagine, the bottom jaw has a "U" shape and the top jaw a "W" shape, so as they come together the two work to fold the sides whilst tightening the grip on the stranded wires, then you can do the same on the sleeve making a secure fit, hope that makes sense. Most of the cheaper crimping tools are made for the plastic coated pre insulated terminals and do not have the "W" pattern jaws and just squeeze the connector which does not always provide a tight fit.
Also the pre insulated terminals are a slightly bigger size than the non insulated type of bullet which can lead to poor loose connections if reusing the sleeves, so better to replace both bullet and connector sleeve. Where the old terminals have been replaced by these pre insulated bullets they force open the connector sleeve resulting in this sloppy fit. If you take the plastic outer cover off a connector sleeve, you will see some small indentations on the inner metal part so that the bullet when pushed home clicks past the end of the bullet to hold it secure.
Pre insulated bullet 5MM o/d
Non insulated bullet (like originals) 4.7mm o/d
Next getting the bullets into the sleeves, there is a special type of pliers for doing this which are quite expensive, but if you have some adjustable pipe wrench pliers where they open out on a ratchet type of arrangement, these can be used to carefully squeeze the two bullets into the connectors and are a lot cheaper than the dedicated tool if working to a budget.
From Vehicle Wiring Products website, I have no connection with them but not many others stock these type of bullets, I have not included the squeezing tool but it is on there,
1. MP71 Crimping tool with spring return handles - you can just about make out the "W" pattern in the jaws
2. "W" pattern bullet connectors
3. Preinsulated crimping tool - only good for the pre insulated bullets and not the "W" pattern, so limited value
Apologies, what started as a short response has turned into short story!
Tony
I agree the bullets really need securing to the plastic covering which is not easy with most bullets, however Vehicle Wiring Products in the UK (see website) do a crimped bullet that allows this to happen as it provides for crimping the copper wires as well as the outer sleeve. However I would recommend using something like the correct Ripaults (mines quite old now) crimping tool which effectively folds the sides of the terminal over and forms what might be loosely a "W" shape and really tightens down on the wire. If you can imagine, the bottom jaw has a "U" shape and the top jaw a "W" shape, so as they come together the two work to fold the sides whilst tightening the grip on the stranded wires, then you can do the same on the sleeve making a secure fit, hope that makes sense. Most of the cheaper crimping tools are made for the plastic coated pre insulated terminals and do not have the "W" pattern jaws and just squeeze the connector which does not always provide a tight fit.
Also the pre insulated terminals are a slightly bigger size than the non insulated type of bullet which can lead to poor loose connections if reusing the sleeves, so better to replace both bullet and connector sleeve. Where the old terminals have been replaced by these pre insulated bullets they force open the connector sleeve resulting in this sloppy fit. If you take the plastic outer cover off a connector sleeve, you will see some small indentations on the inner metal part so that the bullet when pushed home clicks past the end of the bullet to hold it secure.
Pre insulated bullet 5MM o/d
Non insulated bullet (like originals) 4.7mm o/d
Next getting the bullets into the sleeves, there is a special type of pliers for doing this which are quite expensive, but if you have some adjustable pipe wrench pliers where they open out on a ratchet type of arrangement, these can be used to carefully squeeze the two bullets into the connectors and are a lot cheaper than the dedicated tool if working to a budget.
From Vehicle Wiring Products website, I have no connection with them but not many others stock these type of bullets, I have not included the squeezing tool but it is on there,
1. MP71 Crimping tool with spring return handles - you can just about make out the "W" pattern in the jaws
2. "W" pattern bullet connectors
3. Preinsulated crimping tool - only good for the pre insulated bullets and not the "W" pattern, so limited value
Apologies, what started as a short response has turned into short story!
Tony