Splicing cable.

[bigegg]

I finally got a towbar for the lexus...

I'm needing to splice in the relay box to the wiring loom.
Last few I've done, I cut the cable, stripped the ends, then soldered and heatshrank or tape wrapped the joint.

Is there a "better" way?

Don't mind forking out for crimping tools or wago(?) blocks - but I want it doing right.
Went to a local fitters today for a quote, and saw a pack of scotchlocks in his tool pile - didn't bother waiting for a quote.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Went to a local fitters today for a quote, and saw a pack of scotchlocks in his tool pile - didn't bother waiting for a quote.

Good on you.
I spent weeks trying to find a very intermittent fault until i ripped the hole lot out and found the hidden one i didn't find when i first started fault finding.
I used wagos as they looked ok and its what i had.
I twisted the 2 much smaller loom wire together before fitting.

 

[Agrismith]

Nothing wrong with scotch blocks providing they are in a suitable box to protect them

https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/weather-proof-junction-box-8-way.html

Something like this is fitted to every trasit tipper ive worked on and many agricultural trailers
The crimp on ends make a better job
Or there are the types with pillars iside the box to boltconnections too
How old is the lexus will splicing cause the ecu to have a tantrum

 

[bigegg]

Nothing wrong with scotch blocks providing they are in a suitable box to protect them

https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/weather-proof-junction-box-8-way.html

Something like this is fitted to every trasit tipper ive worked on and many agricultural trailers
The crimp on ends make a better job
Or there are the types with pillars iside the box to boltconnections too
How old is the lexus will splicing cause the ecu to have a tantrum

It's a '99 plate.
Splicing *should* be ok.

I won't be using scotchlocks.

The link shows choc block connectors?
Use them a lot when wiring trailers, but want something less obtrusive/agricultural

 

[Luke]

Scotch locks are horrible things.

Choc block is fine, in the right situation.

In the same situation, I'd probably solder and heat shrink as well. You can get pre-soldered heat shrink if access is particularly tight, but you can still form a mechanical joint before sliding the heat shrink back over.

 

[frank horton]

bigegg,
the original terminal block was made by "Rubberlite"........
these copies are still as madly priced as the original, seem to remember the originals had 10 terms.....still use em to this day........
first came across em 40 odd years ago......

 

[Robotstar5]

Jap cars don't seem to have trailer plugs conveniently hidden behind a trim panel in the boot

I did one by stripping about 10-15mm of insulation then soldering a fly lead with a female bullet connector on for each connection needed, had to bring a couple across from the nearside to get all the trailer connections in one place.

 

[Ruffian]

Use a automatic stripper, grab wire and strip both ways, then blade the "centre" off,

Once you get the hang can get a nice 10mm of bare core, wrap towbar wiring round and solder. Then only issue is can't heat shrink so have to electric tape.

I would double check to make sure it doesn't use Cambus and need a bypass relay.

 

[Ruffian]

If you have a 12v socket in the boot then may actually make life easier fitting a bypass relay also to make sure no interference.

 

[keithski122]

When I had a job interview at a towbar fitters many years ago everything was spliced in, soldered and heatshrunk(self amalgamating tape).Definately no scotchblocks.
Didn't take the job as I thought I'd get bored fitting towbars everyday.

 

[bigegg]

Use a automatic stripper, grab wire and strip both ways, then blade the "centre" off,

Once you get the hang can get a nice 10mm of bare core, wrap towbar wiring round and solder. Then only issue is can't heat shrink so have to electric tape.

I would double check to make sure it doesn't use Cambus and need a bypass relay.

It is canbus - I have the relay box(is that what it's called?)

Self amalgamating tape sounds good.

 

[Ruffian]

So your relay box should take 8/9wires in and 7 out.

The usual 7 for towbar and 12v and maybe a secondary earth.

If you can follow colours and use a volt meter it isn't hard.

 

[bigegg]

So your relay box should take 8/9wires in and 7 out.

The usual 7 for towbar and 12v and maybe a secondary earth.

If you can follow colours and use a volt meter it isn't hard.

Oh, I know that.
It's *literally* just the joints - I've read a few threads, with no definitive answer as to the best method.

 

[Ruffian]

No worries bud,
Just each to there own I guess, everyone does things slightly different.

If only someone bought out self amalgamating heat shrink sheets that can be wrapped and stuck then shrunk would make a fortune.

 

[Hood]

No worries bud,
Just each to there own I guess, everyone does things slightly different.

If only someone bought out self amalgamating heat shrink sheets that can be wrapped and stuck then shrunk would make a fortune.

I do that with ordinary heatshrink and super glue, works surprisingly well

 

[bigegg]

No worries bud,
Just each to there own I guess, everyone does things slightly different.

If only someone bought out self amalgamating heat shrink sheets that can be wrapped and stuck then shrunk would make a fortune.

This will be the eighth car I've fitted a towbar to, as well as 6?7? maybe more trailers I've rewired.

Maybe my method (with self amalgamating tape ) *IS* the best way...

 

[500e]

Self amalgamating putty by 3M is the good

http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/porta.../mastic-tape/scotchfil-putty-insulation-tape/
The problem with a lot of Scotch locks is they are not SCOTCH locks a 3m reg name I believe about 90% are junk still don't like them for a permanent job, Thatcham would not let you fit alarms they had to be spliced in @Ruffian has the best way with main cable not cut but sorry R 3m had thought of the sheet, I have a role of self amalg tape 4 Inches wide

 

[WorkshopChris]

Nothing wrong with scotch blocks providing they are in a suitable box to protect them

https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/weather-proof-junction-box-8-way.html

Something like this is fitted to every trasit tipper ive worked on and many agricultural trailers
The crimp on ends make a better job
Or there are the types with pillars iside the box to boltconnections too
How old is the lexus will splicing cause the ecu to have a tantrum

I have had 2 faults now on the car its self, where the modern wire is so thin the scotchblock has sheared the loom wire internally in two leading to intermittent lighting faults on the car, nevermind the trailer. Horrible things.

 

[brightspark]

I prefer shave the insulation back and solder the joints in then tape with self amalgamating tape. it may not look neat but will give a good waterproof and electrical joint

 

[Agrismith]

I have had 2 faults now on the car its self, where the modern wire is so thin the scotchblock has sheared the loom wire internally in two leading to intermittent lighting faults on the car, nevermind the trailer. Horrible things.

Crimp terminal ends onto the wires cant remember the name of them but they are a metal sheath to spread the pressure out along 10mm or so