How to wire - Write Up

[BOHICA-Chevy68]

So I thought I would add my contribution to the forum. I have seen a lot of different threads the address wiring in this and that and it is all very good information. But I have not found a thread on how to appropriately wire in something. I'm not talking about which wire goes were, but am directing this thread to proper wiring technique.

I spent the day yesterday fixing the P.O. spotty wiring in my truck. By the end of the event I was ready to look up the P.O. (not the person I bought the truck from as I'm the third owner) and then swiftly throat punch him for driving such a fire hazard on the road.

I will go over the do's and don't. I even took some pictures of the stuff I found. I didn't photograph everything I found, I only have so much room on my camera.

Vehicle wiring can cause fires if done wrong. Certain things do not belong in a vehicle. You do not wire a vehicle like you wire your house.

First the don't:

Do not use wire nuts.
Do not make connections with electrical tape.
Do not leave exposed wiring.
Do not leave free hanging wires.
Do not use solid core wire (unless specifically told to for the application)
Do not bypass fusses.
Do not paint wires.

Here are a few example of what would be wrong in a car or truck.

Standard residential wire nut, not intended for vehicle application.


Wires connected using twist and tape method. Never ok in any application.


Wires of different size and different color are not appropriate.


Now the do's:
-Ensure all connections are accurate and a good connection is made.
-Always use the appropriate connecting pieces
-Ensure a good ground is established
-All connections should be made liquid and oil resistant.
-Use of proper gauge wire (you'll need to research when you are doing your specific task)
-Always use stranded wire (unless specifically directed not to)
-Ensure proper fuse is in place.

So some quick facts on electricity. This will be brief and explained in the simplest form. You should note that if attempting electrical work, you should have a good quality electrical meter. one that read, at the least, volts, amps and ohms. What are these three thing you ask? Well to put it simply think of a water system. Volt are "water pressure", amps is the amount of water and watts is the amount that a electrical device needs. Ohms is a measure of resistance. We could discuss this in a whole different thread, but that is the readers digest version.

So how do you wire correctly for vehicle application? Well, here we go:

I had to splice in a new ignition wire. I started with this:


You will need to cut back the wire about 1/8 of an inch to ensure you have good wire. You will need to keep cutting back to good wire if you do not have good wire. Remove the sheathing about 1/4 of an inch to make your new connection.


Now crimp your new connection on. Do not use pliers, you need to use the proper crimping tool when doing this. Repeat the process for the other side, before you connect the wire you will need to slip on a piece of shrink tubing. Some butt connectors come with the shrink tubing incorporated in the connector.


Now apply heat to the shrink tubing and to make your connection water and oil resistant.


The same process can be done for other connection types.


I hope this helps some and prevents bad situations.

When you do not have a good connection a wire can arch or create friction heat. Heat creates fire and will destroy your car or truck.

[KEL]

Thanks for the reminder.
I always try to follow those simple rules.
I plan on keeping my truck.

[Shyguy]

The truck I bought long ago has most of the problems you menioned. Now I am in the process of cleaning up the mess.

[Stocker]

Good post, good basic info. Comparing electrical pressure & flow to water makes it easier to understand for most people.

You broke one of your rules and connected differently colored wires.

I generally prefer soldering to a crimped connector.... I have seen corrosion in a crimped connector but never in a soldered joint.

[in deep 72]

NOT a fan of crimps either. Unless it's a quick trail fix, I solder everything, even when I put an eyelet crimp connector on (they can be soldered together also). Then heat shrink over all joints.

If you ARE going to use crimps....one trick I was taught as a kid, fill the connector with silicone before putting the wire into it then crimp. This will also make it water tight.

[BOHICA-Chevy68]

That picture is of the P.O. job. I replaced all that with correct wire gauge and color. In mine the wire is red. The P.O. decided that a rattle can gloss paint should cover everything to make it look good.

[Tinkermc]

very good explanation.

[BOHICA-Chevy68]

I agree, soldering is best, but this is the best way for someone who is not familiar with soldering. That can be intimidating for someone that doesn't have any experience with soldering. I do like the silicone idea.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by in deep 72

NOT a fan of crimps either. Unless it's a quick trail fix, I solder everything, even when I put an eyelet crimp connector on (they can be soldered together also). Then heat shrink over all joints.

If you ARE going to use crimps....one trick I was taught as a kid, fill the connector with silicone before putting the wire into it then crimp. This will also make it water tight.

I'm anti-solder, but mostly because I can't do it very well. Wires are too small and hands are too big.

[PanelDeland]

I prefer bare connectors,soldered and heat shrink wrapped.Soldering isn't that hard to learn,if I can learn it almost anyone can.

[Already Gone]

Thanks for the info and I'm sure it will save members some grief. When I do wiring I do everything you mentioned in your thread but never thought of putting heat shrink on connectors. That is a great tip, thanks.
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[truckster]

Good post. When using crimp connectors, I use dielectric grease rather than silicone. I use the same thing on battery terminals - it prevents corrosion there as well.

Also, you mentioned good wire, but some people may not know what that means. Corrosion tends to creep along wires that have been exposed to the elements. Good copper is bright, corroded copper is dark. You can sometimes wire brush the copper strands, but it's usually best to cut back to where you have bright copper if possible.

[Daddy Brim]

Good info here, I also solder and shrink tube everything.