Can i double over wire and crimp it?

[er9]

about to get started with LED upgrade project and as many of you know the LED wire coming from the fixture is very small diameter. i need to crimp that onto 14 gauge wire. can i just strip back a bunch of insulation on the LED wire, fold it over one or two times and crimp it into the 14 gauge crimp or is that a big NO NO?

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by er9

about to get started with LED upgrade project and as many of you know the LED wire coming from the fixture is very small diameter. i need to crimp that onto 14 gauge wire. can i just strip back a bunch of insulation on the LED wire, fold it over one or two times and crimp it into the 14 gauge crimp or is that a big NO NO?

The problem is that even doubled or tripled, the thin wire from the LED may still not come up to the same thickness of a #14 wire.


I like to use the cap style of crimp for that application.





... you just twist the wires together, then crimp on the best-fitting cap. You can waterproof by dripping glue or sealant into the one open end.

[a64pilot]

I will fold it back over it’s insulation and crimp it. The insulation adds significant strength and of course diameter. I have never had an issue of it not making good electrical contact.
I would not do this for anything that can pull significant current, for obvious reasons.

[er9]

thanks fellas....appreciate the advice. i have never seen those cap crimps before. nifty little crimp.

[Wotname]

Depending on the actual size of the LED wire (often somewhere 22 and 26 gauge), you can fold it over once or twice as you suggest and then red crimp (16 to 22 gauge) for the folded section and cut a few strands from the 14 gauge wire to fit into the red crimp.

I don't like crimping onto any insulation but I am not denying that it won't work as a65pilot confirms.

[er9]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Depending on the actual size of the LED wire (often somewhere 22 and 26 gauge), you can fold it over once or twice as you suggest and then red crimp (16 to 22 gauge) for the folded section and cut a few strands from the 14 gauge wire to fit into the red crimp.

I don't like crimping onto any insulation but I am not denying that it won't work as a65pilot confirms.

thats a good idea,didnt think of that. i'd like to start this weekend and dont feel like waiting another week to order caps. red crimps i do have a ton of though.

[smac999]

you can also buy reducing butt crimps that are blue on one side and red on the other.

[er9]

Originally Posted by smac999

you can also buy reducing butt crimps that are blue on one side and red on the other.

yeah looked for them at west marine but didnt see them.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by er9

thats a good idea,didnt think of that. i'd like to start this weekend and dont feel like waiting another week to order caps. red crimps i do have a ton of though.

They should have caps at Home Depot or anywhere. Not a special item.

[er9]

Originally Posted by thinwater

They should have caps at Home Depot or anywhere. Not a special item.

good to know i will go take a look today. i thought those might be special for marine environment.

[Terra Nova]

You can twist the two different size wires together and crimp into one end of a butt splice connector; then seal the other end with liquid electrical tape.

Don't fold it over insulation as that will create a high resistance connection that could start a fire.

[er9]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

You can twist the two different size wires together and crimp into one end of a butt splice connector; then seal the other end with liquid electrical tape.

Don't fold it over insulation as that will create a high resistance connection that could start a fire.

DUH! lol why didnt i think of that? thats why i love these forums. so much experience to draw from. if i did this should i/ would it also be prudent to heat shrink the end as well or is that way overkill?

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by er9

thanks fellas....appreciate the advice. i have never seen those cap crimps before. nifty little crimp.

In the AC application, they are call "marrettes". You have hundreds in your house wiring.

[bcboomer]

Marrettes are a no-no in marine applications.

They can easily end up with the open end up and then any moisture, especially in salty environments, will collect in them and corrode the wires.

When I bought our boat I found a half dozen and 3 or 4 had corroded.

I bought a bunch of the 2 size butt connectors but the twist and crimp should be good and it's cheaper too.

[gghanger]

I prefer to strip back both wires, join them together with a western union splice, which is just a reverse twist on it's self, solder with a good grade of rosin core solder, slide a piece of the correct size shrink tubing (you have already slid on before you connected the wires), use one of the bbq lighters to shrink the tube the full length, it is amazing how much it shrinks, you now have a connection that is electricity and structurally and water proof.