Heat shrink connectors & crimpers

[Smokeys Kitchen]

I have been happy with the set I got from Rod Collins (Marine How-To) a CF member. His modular cripmers worked well for me - I got both the standard set (non-heat shrink) as well as the heat shrink set of dies. Other sets of dies are also available.

He will ship to Aus, but I know that there is an extra charge for the $$ conversion.


https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...lar-crimp-tool

[bcboomer]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

I have been happy with the set I got from Rod Collins (Marine How-To) a CF member.


He will ship to Aus, but I know that there is an extra charge for the $$ conversion.

Unfortunately he will only ship to a US based freight forwarder, not directly.

[Mithril Bham]

Ancor everything. Bite the bullet. Spend the money. You won't regret it if you are doing serious work.

[Dockhead]

Molex "Perma-Seal" connectors, and Swedish "Pressmaster" crimp tool.


The "Wirefy" set LOOKS good, but precision of the dies and mechanism is extremely important, and good ratcheting crimpers are very expensive. I haven't yet found anything equal to the Pressmaster.

[jacktheflyer]

There is no doubt the ratchet crimpers are the way to go. However I have found the ones with shorter handles take a lot of effort to get the crimp sometimes needing two hands.

Also beware of cheap crimp connectors from ebay. Look the same but are of dubious quality.

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

I have been happy with the set I got from Rod Collins (Marine How-To) a CF member. His modular cripmers worked well for me - I got both the standard set (non-heat shrink) as well as the heat shrink set of dies. Other sets of dies are also available.

He will ship to Aus, but I know that there is an extra charge for the $$ conversion.


https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...lar-crimp-tool

A big second on this
I recently bought the same tool and works great
did a big project and used Anchor heat shrink terminals
exclusively
Cheers
Neil

[Mithril Bham]

Originally Posted by BigAl.NZ

So your saying there are different dyes for insulated (nylon) and insulated (heat shrink) ? And that the Ancor ones are the correct dye for heat shrink?

Ancor has separate ones for each

[CarlF]

If you are going to only do heat shrink. I have this tool from Rod Collins - very high quality at a great price:

https://shop.marinehowto.com/product...ink-crimp-tool

[Clivevon]

Originally Posted by Squanderbucks

I like a ratchet style crumpet that has a release trigger and the ability to adjust the crimp tightness.

I'm saying nothing. Its safer....

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Clivevon

I'm saying nothing. Its safer....

Why don't you share your point of view? That's what these discussions are for.


I am committed to high quality ratchet crimpers. They do excellent crimps, and it's relatively hard to screw them up. My last one, a Swedish Pressmaster, has furthermore lasted a long long time and is still going strong after 10 years and thousands of crimps, not requiring calibration or anything. The crimps are so strong that the wire will break before the crimp pulls out (tested regularly).



But many pros eschew ratchet crimpers. Maybe I've never had a good pair of them, or maybe I never had the skill to use them properly (or maybe both!), but I never liked them. I'm actually curious why pros don't like ratchet crimpers.

[double u]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Why don't you share your point of view? That's what these discussions are for...

cr U mpet...

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Put the terminal in the crimper and lightly grip it then introduce the wire and crimp. This way the crimpers half closed and you can steady the knuckle of the hand holding the wire against the side of the crimper.

This works well!

[Knotical]

Is there any place where we would use regular butt connectors on the boat? I am guessing not.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Knotical

Is there any place where we would use regular butt connectors on the boat? I am guessing not.

Regular as opposed to heat shrink? Or butt connectors altogether?


I use heat shrink exclusively (despite the very high cost of the Molex ones), but I use a lot of butt connectors. There are all kinds of reasons why you might need to use those. Most common is installing a piece of gear which has pigtails rather than terminals.

[Knotical]

Yes, you answered my question perfectly, thanks.
The reason I asked is I have seen non-insulated butt connectors on boats (not in bilges though fortunately).

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Regular as opposed to heat shrink? Or butt connectors altogether?