Joining into a vehicle wiring loom

[Migmac]

This is the recommended way to do it.


View attachment 74167

Like to think I can be a wee bit neater than that, even with my fat fingers

 

[cecotto479]

I supplied the replacement fusebox and a BMW specialist charged my customer £500 to get it to that state.

 

[ajlelectronics]

What? I would have done that for only £100!

 

[normspanners]

These are quite good, heat shrink boots but again you have to snip the main wire or take it from the multi plug ( not insurmountable )

or

but you can get self amalgamating heat shrink tape http://www.hilltop-products.co.uk/c...s-2/tape/adhesive-lined-heat-shrink-tape.html

 

[MattF]

but you can get self amalgamating heat shrink tape http://www.hilltop-products.co.uk/c...s-2/tape/adhesive-lined-heat-shrink-tape.html

Amalg. is a different thing to that link you've posted. That's adhesive backed heatshrink. Amalg. isn't adhesive as such; It merely bonds to itself and turns into a solid mass over time or when warm. Amalg. is a pain in the **** to apply to thin wires, as it needs stretching as it's applied.

 

[Wedg1e]

Might be worth investing in this style of wire stripper, it can strip the insulation anywhere on a cable, do it twice about 10mm apart and remove the loose bit with a sharp knife and you've got your "tap-in" point ready to solder to.

When I was in car/bike security in the early 90s (approved Datatool fitter!) we sometimes used a similar stripper that 'slit' the insulation and pulled the ends back, creating a gap exposing the copper so you could wire-wrap and solder to it without actually cutting the wire. It was quick but obviously meant you had to use sparky tape as you couldn't slide heatshrink over.

 

[Wedg1e]

I used to be thatchem approved for fitting alarms and scotchlocks were banned, everything had to be soldered/insulated and fitted so that it looked factory.

It'd have been nice if the monkey who fitted the Thatcham-approved system to my TVR had been so conscientious. When it eventually died (after 16 years and a couple of winters on a battery conditioner, turns out some alarms don't like it) I stripped it out and fitted another, properly. The previous owner shelled-out £575 in 1998 and the fitter must have been laughing all the way. No Scotchloks but comical soldering, cable ties galore, no attempt to neaten the wiring loom, soldering iron burns to wiring, plastics and carpets under the dash and so on. He hadn't bothered to implement some of the capabilities either, like central locking and remote boot release - the owner must have wondered what all those buttons on the remote were for.

 

[keithski122]

It was a tvr? Are you sure it wasn't like that from the factory?

 

[normspanners]

Amalg. is a different thing to that link you've posted.

Hi Thanks sorry when I wrote it I meant to put self adhesive but as usual was rushing and answering phones etc
Thats my excuse------- doc calls it Alzheimers, but what does he know

 

[Migmac]

Cheers Norm, like the look of the Y shape boot.

 

[MattF]

Hi Thanks sorry when I wrote it I meant to put self adhesive but as usual was rushing and answering phones etc
Thats my excuse------- doc calls it Alzheimers, but what does he know

Thank God. I thought you might say you were distracted by your thong riding up into areas best left unmentioned.

 

[normspanners]

thong riding up into areas best left unmentioned.

Hum That could have been a factor coz, most of the time I'm talkin out my Wrexham

 

[Wedg1e]

It was a tvr? Are you sure it wasn't like that from the factory?

Hey, even the Blackpool Butchers did a better job than this guy had. At least TVR made their wiring looms in-house to fit the cars, have you seen some of the abortions kit-car builders come up with?!
Red to green, brown to yellow, blew to bits

 

[500e]

Think that was bad, 123 Yes 123 scotch-locks in one car, there was SL 150mm wire SL inplaces.
I don't like the things but there are so meany cheap copy's of the 3M product out there.
One company we dealt with used 3M crimp fuse holders we fitted 100s & have never had a problem all under bonnet within 100mm of battery

 

[Masterofnone]

I prefer to be able to easily undo work like this.
These days I cut the wire and crimp a suitable sleeved multi way female bullet connector to the feed side then sleeved single bullets to the other ends then connect together. If there is any chance of moisture ingress I fill the insulation with spray wax. It takes a little longer but keeps everything easy to maintain and service or remove in the future.
You do have to be somewhat careful these days with can busses and the like not to upset a critical system.
Vehicle Wiring Products do a good range of stuff and have connectors to suit most vehicles.
I have no connection with them other than I have received good service.
I do like normspanners Y shape heatshrinks though. I'll be getting a few of those.

 

[500e]

We use a No of different configurations From Hellerman
http://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/si...hapter-2/moulded_shapes_brochure_gb_2011_.pdf
Still got to cut the wire if both ends disappear into loom or connect that you do not have crimp tool for