How to do a wire splice?

[lakeaustinag]

My trailer lights weren't working on my older trailer so I decided to re-wire it this weekend. I wired it up and my turn signals and brake lights were working but not my running lights. I used the little plastic splice connectors but I'm not sure if I did them right. Do you have to strip the wire first before you put it in there and close the little snap? What else could be causing my running lights to not work? I checked my ground wire and it is securely bolted to the frame. it's an older trailer too if that helps. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

If you used the blue plastic splicers you will continually have issues since they are not sealed and will corrode. Remove them and splice them using proper crimp-type butt splices, or bare the wires, place heat shring tubing over the wires, join the splice, solder, and then shrink the tubing over the splice. To answer you question though - you do not have to bare the wires using the blue junk splicers.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

i agree, absolutely do not use vampire clips. (those blue plastic things) They will fail in short order, assuming they work at all.

Solder and shrink, no other way to do it if you want it to last.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

Agreed. I either butt splice/crimp all my trailer connections and heat shrink wrap them or use the liquid electrical tape. Electricity and water doesn't mix well.

 

[wellsc1]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

On another post, I shared my hateful opinion about those blasted "scotchlocks" splice connectors (little blasted blue things!).

Here's my preferred method, overkill as some may think.

I use crimp connectors.

1. Strip insulation of wire end(s), coat with anti-sieze, then insert into crimp connector and crimp.

2. Next, apply liquid rubber tape on the connector and wire(s).

3. After liquid rubber tape sets, wrap with 2 layers electrical tape, overlapping stretched tape so it sets tightly on the connection. Be sure to let the last inch or so of tape relax (unstretched) so it will stay wrapped; otherwise, the stretch will slowly start pulling the end up.

I've never had a connect go bad.

 

[DianneB]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I not only have an aversion to the insulation displacement connectors but to crimp connectors as well so for me it is strip, wrap, and solder. If the connection is in an area of high corrosion or lots of water, I use a little dab of silicon caulking on the connection and then wrap the electrical tape over it - the caulking will seal all the little gaps on a T-tap connection. I have taken these apart after 10 years in service and the connection is as clean as the day it was made.

 

[rwilliek]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I agree with the advice against anything except soldering.

I was a car stereo installer for Circuit City for many years - I constantly saw failed crimp connections...both the blue snap type, as well as the butt connectors and crimp caps. The only good connection is solder....the joint is stronger than the wire connected on each side.

I have Ham antennas hung 35+ feet in the air soley supported by solder connections.

Robbie

 

[H20Rat]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

The only good connection is solder....the joint is stronger than the wire connected on each side.

I have Ham antennas hung 35+ feet in the air soley supported by solder connections.

Surprisingly a GOOD crimp connector is far better than solder. Solder is obviously inflexible and will cause a stress point at the edge of the solder joint. The problem is that a good crimp connector is expensive. (IE not using tools and connectors available at lowes/home depot)

If a crimp is done properly the wire will pull apart long before it lets go in the crimp.


All that said, I still use solder for critical stuff. I don't have the gear or the talent to make crimp connections of that quality.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I have become quite a fan of heatshrink butt connectors.... the have hot melt glue inside that seals as they shrink..... also spent the $20 on good crimp pliers as the will do a better job and are less likely to puncture the plastic part of the connector.... Last strip the wire only the amount that will fit in the metal part of the connector.... usually about 1/4-3/8"

 

[dingbat]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

The only connector I use on the trailer or on the boat for that matter are the Anchor heat seal crimp connectors. They use a tin crimps, nylon insulator with a heat activated adhesive lining. Quick easy, waterproof connection.

http://www.iboats.com/16-14-Gauge-A...4931758--**********.902193646--view_id.164463

 

[Floatsum]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I play 90% in saltwater, here's what works;
strip
solder
liquid tape
shrink tube (while tape is still wet)
liquid tape again.

Also add seperate grounds to all lights to the mounting studs.
Solder them also.
Coat with electrical grease, star washer to frame side, connector, star washer again, flange nut, then recoat with electrical grease.

Never have a connection issue for years this way. Usually the bulb's socket rots out first.

I used to assemble trailers for a couple of shops and found it works well.

You really want to seal the insulation best you can. Salt gets inside to the wire, turns it black, and thats the beginning of a fast ending.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I solder everything. I've heard the argument over the years of the inflexibility of solder joints but I've personally had 50 times more failures with butt connectors. Hate em, only use them when forced to.

 

[lakelover]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I second or third... the soldering.

Six years ago I replaced my trailer lights with LED's and rewired the whole trailer, using solder connections throughout. I haven't had any problems at all despite all the dunkings. Just today, my son ran the lawnmower under the trailer and it caught and broke a wire when he pulled it out. I'm going to get out the soldering gun to repair it.

 

[Proselect]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

Soldering is one of the best ways of doing it with heat shrink around it. I have seen some crappy heat shrink throughout the years that is definately not water tight and I wouldn't trust it.

I agree with smoke. The heat shrink butts with the glue in them are the best by far. I also agree that you use a quality crimping tool to make sure they are crimped not only tight, but the correct way(and without breaking the plastic around it). Once they are heated and cool down the glue is rock hard and the wire will fail long before the butt or joint. I use them in a lot of automotive applications.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

Solder, heat shrink tube...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

Anything but those splice connectors !!!!

 

[KStoon]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

Here's another vote for solder. I prefer to use the heat shrink which has the glue in it that melts and seals when heated to shrink down. I've had to open some of my splice connections to do modifications and changes and boy what a sealed connection it is! It will take awhile to get the shrink and seal off of the wire. Never have I had a corrosion issue. As far as solder stiffening the wire, if too much solder is applied it will be. What I mean is if you allow solder to "wick" into the wire past where you are making the joint that is undesirable. Usually this ends up with solder going under the insulation of the wire. In a production type setting and especially under military guidelines this would be rejected as a bad solder joint. Also solder should be used to make an electrical connection not a mechanical connection. In other words twist or wrap the wires together and then solder them. Too many years working in electrical and avionics in the aircraft industry have biased me! I do like the shrink connectors with solder in them which seal when heated and make the solder connection. Also AC Delco sends some nice butt connectors with their wiring pigtails which you crimp and then you heat them to shrink them and they have the sealing glue in them too! If a person has enough of the scotchlock connectors they are good for filling in low spots in your gravel driveway. Jus saying.....

 

[gregandkathy]

Re: How to do a wire splice?

I would say solder with heat shrink is the best,,,, despite it being a lil' non-flexible. Next and very close,, crimp connectors,, I put a dab of marine grease in connector before inserting wire and crimping,,, to fight corrosion, then heat shrink for a smooth looking finish.