This video details how I crimp electrical connectors. I also talk about, and demonstrate some additional methods for crimping electrical connections. I hope you find the information helpful.
Here’s a video I did on Soldering Wires that you might also find helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ErNVJytyNs
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Check out the ETCG Blog for the latest info: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/blog
Thanks for watching!
Discussion about this video: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/68602-how-to-crimp-electrical-connectors
Info on wire gauges: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_gauge
Check out Painless Wiring: http://www.painlessperformance.com
Tools
Crimping Tool: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/sg-tool-aid-18980-master-quick-terminal-crimper-set#oid=1002_1
Crimping Pliers: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/sk-hand-tools-15011-terminal-crimping-pliers#oid=1002_1
Wire Stripper: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/sg-tool-aid-19000-wire-stripper#oid=1002_1
Wire Stripper (Green Handle): https://www.jbtoolsales.com/audiopipe-iws1626-mini-wire-stripper#oid=1002_1
Stripper/Crimper: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-56209-heavy-duty-wire-stripper-9-inch#oid=1002_1
Weller Soldering Station: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/weller-wes51-analog-soldering-station-with-power-unit-pencil-new#oid=1002_1
Butane Soldering Iron: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/solder-it-es670ck-iron-workbench-kit#oid=1002_1
IsoTip Soldering Iron: https://www.iso-tip.com/product/quick-charge-soldering-iron-kit-boxed-7700/
Heat Gun: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/titan-tools-22400-vaper-heat-gun#oid=1002_1
Connectors
Shrink Tube Butt Connectors: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-00004-butt-connector-kit-with-shrink-tube-60-piece#oid=1002_1
Shrink Tube Connectors 12-10 gauge: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-04098-electrical-shrink-tube-butt-connector-heat-shrink-12-10-quantiy-5#oid=1002_1
Shrink Tube Connectors 22-18 gauge: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-04095-electrical-shrink-tube-butt-connector-solder-seal-22-18-quantiy-5#oid=1002_1
Shrink Tube Connectors 16-14 gauge: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-04097-electrical-shrink-tube-butt-connector-solder-seal-16-14-quantiy-5#oid=1002_1
Assorted Electrical Connectors: https://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-04080-electrical-solderless-terminals-16-14-3-way-connector-qty-10#oid=1002_1
Related videos
Electrical Troubleshooting Basics (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLVu2HYtOhA
Electrical Troubleshooting Basics (Part 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSvA0y-peA
Automotive Electrical System Basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAjM9Gk63M4
How To Test Relays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWmt6gorzUg
Battery Care and Maintenance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhnVZ7ZPunw&t=13s
Ground Side vs Power Side Switching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlS56LkAukE
How To Check a Charging System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuumBVz6WOM&t=7s
Voltage Drop Testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ze7pzrhRIs
How To Perform a Parasitic Draw Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0&t=2s
Audio Speaker Replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THqr9rIvaTQ
How To Install a Trunk Mounted Battery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF8cHIjmUY8&t=1073s
The #FairmontProject playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22GsHQi7tU&list=PLSzhQ6St-ov2nxWVKCeU14Vt7JJ_QSZvs
**Answers to your automotive questions found here: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
I recently built my own camper van . Wiring wise using crimps .
Using a crimping tool similar to the one in the video .
If it's getting a bit awkward , is to load the crimp into the ratchet crimper literally to the first notch on the ratchet .
So the crimp is gripped just enough so it can't fall out of the tool .
Then you have a bit more control in tight areas , push the stripped wire into the crimp then squeeze it up .
Rather unorthodox but it worked for me .
13:04 Aren't those jaws your using on an insulated terminal, meant for NON insulated terminals? The jaws for insulated will have blue, red, or yellow, so you can match it up with the color of the insulation.
I see you're having problems with those yellow handled auto strippers. They are super quick, but I found out the hard way that these tend to double cross you at the worst possible moment. The better option are the ones that load from the side.
Why is it sooo hard to find quality connectors. I’m done buying connector kits online. The metal are very easy to bend with your hands and very thin. Specially the ring terminals. I wouldn’t trust 40amp overheating.
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Good info, as always. Fwiw, though, it appears the crimp is wrong on that non-insulated terminal. The point should go into the solid side. Per this, anyway: http://knowhow.napaonline.com/how-to-use-crimp-terminals-the-right-way/
Very good experience thanku sir
Thanks sir
So never having had the proper tool I rushed out to Amazon and bought one of those fancy ratcheting crimpers and after throwing away half my insulated heat shrink connectors I tossed the tool . Witch jaws should I get for heat shrink connectors, mine came with one jaw
Thank you Mr. Eric! YouTube just sent this to me in 2020. This is a great video! I hope you are safe and happy this Thanksgiving.
Thanks great video and great info
@4:53 – The knurled knob at the top of the pliers adjusts for the different thickness of the wires. There are 4 positions – 0.2-.9mm; 1 — 4.0mm ; 5.0 -6mm and computer wires. Try it and see what works.
Hey Eric where do you get your non insulated female disconnects from?
The ones that crimp onto the jacket as well. I am looking for someone that sells various sizes specifically 10 awg.
Just got a really cool kit and not one mention of how to use it. Thanks Eric!
Do you add an anti oxidation paste to the wires before you crimp?
Excellent video
Excellent video. Great job.
Can I add a regular butt connector then add heat shrink on top?
A correctly crimped connector is electrically superior to soldered. Must make the audiophiles nuts.
The problem with soldering the wire and then crimping it is the risk of breaking the conductor off which is why you should never solder a crimped connection.
Can you show how you make the relay harness. My relay holder came with no wires 😕
Can we send you a few of our electrical tools to try out on your page ? You can keep either way . Contact: mike@industryelectric.net http://www.industryelectric.net thx!
Very helpful
Just saying, ive seen many crimps fail, I've never had a solder joint fail. Every circuit board in your car has solder on it and it has no problems. As long as you think and add the joint for proper strain relief you'll never have problems. Crimps are also dog shit for strain relief, I don't know what y'all are talking about.
I like those quick release levers for your crimper dies. I have to remove my two screws to change out dies .. although I never change them. I've got a second crimper for non- insulated connectors.
The problem with soldering crimp connectors is that you're only introducing more opportunities for failure/human error(we know, we know, you're the best solderer ever and you never ever screw up…) where it, quite literally, is completely unnecessary. Add in the weakening of the wire that soldering causes, the potential for failure related to vibration and movement due to how brittle solder is, and it just doesn't add up. The idea that a proper crimp could in some way still be "weak" or have a "poor electrical connection" is just unfounded, and it takes MUCH less skill to execute a proper crimp with the proper crimpers than it takes to execute a proper solder joint. I mean, everyone can see how easy it is to execute a proper crimp in this video.
When you add in the fact that professional industry, especially aviation, REQUIRES crimping and PROHIBITS soldering specifically due to the much greater potential for human error & inconsistency and the brittle nature and sensitivity to vibration of soldered joints, at some point people just need to accept that their personal biases are outdated and that we as a society have learned BETTER WAYS than that.
If crimps only are good enough to keep planes in the air – I'm pretty sure they're good enough for your car. Suck it up and save the money that you've been wasting on solder and the equipment to go with it, get more done with the time savings of no longer performing extra unnecessary steps. Come join us in the 21st century
Exelente,muy útil, gracias por compartirðŸ‘ÂÂðŸ‘ÂÂðŸ‘ÂÂ
Is it a good idea to use rubber gloves with a heat gun. Probably not. I see this was questioned farther down as well. 🙂
wish i woulda found this vid before i spent an hour crimping incorrectly last night lol
Thank you so very much. 😀
miserable soldering work
"There is no hard job with the proper tools." – myself, since ever.
Lol.
I can honestly say from experience that there is only one time you should solder a wire before crimping it, and that is NEVER!!!
I had a question about butt connectors generally. I've read papers that indicate that crimping theoretically (if done correctly) results in the best conduction and least resistance. Isn't the point of crimping to make airtight connections between the wire and the thing you are connecting it to so the soft metals merge? But in the case of wire to wire connections most butt connectors I've seen have the indentation that prevents wire overlap (especially in smaller guage wires) and necessarily creates a gap. So you end up relying on whatever metal the barrel is made of for conduction between the wires and hoping it doesn't introduce resistance. Wouldn't wire to wire contact ensure a more complete conduction and wouldn't the best butt connector permit overlap between the wires? I'm guessing the increased resistance in most cases is negligible but still why don't most butt connectors allow for overlap.
Thank you!!!
The ignitor for my fireplace broke and they no longer make the type of igniter that fits my fireplace. Everywhere told me my only option was to either open it up and light it by hand every time, or get a new fireplace.
With this I was able to wire up part of my old broken igniter with part of a new one.
"First we got to start by stripping" – OK, but this seems dangerous working with electronics while nude but you're the teacher 🙂 .. Joking aside, Excellent video!..
Hey Eric, did you get a lift for your shop? Do you recommend a drive up 4 post?