What type of crimping tool, do most people or shops use to crimp on connectors to wires? Or what do you recommend or use. Most of the ones I seen done make a little pinch in the middle and seem to hold well, I think it's called an open end crimping tool? Thanks for any input.

 

I personally solder all my connections and use shrink tubing or very good electrical tape. Crimp on connectors are a bad alternative. It's a little more work but trust me....it's worth the trouble.

 

I just use a normal crimoing tool fro the few crimp-on connectors I use.. I mostly use the non-insulated terminals which I crimp on, solder, and heat shrink.

 

Now that, my friend, is thorough!

 

Well what about the ring studs to connect to the amp, obviously wouldnt want to soilder to that, or the distrubution block, unless your really hardcore.

 

Solder those onto the wires then screw em on to the amp. I know it's being a bit particular but there is nothing worse than having to go through the system and find that a wire worked its way loose from just crimping it on. It does happen....alot. I went down to radio shack and bought one of those butane soldering irons. It makes the job easier to do. It even has a tip for heating the shrink tubing (beats using a lighter). If I remember right it was like 20 bukks. Money very well spent IMO.

 

ive always crimped things together and it has worked fine, as long as you crimp it in the right spot it wont go anywhere, just cover the crimp with heat shrink or tape and its good to go soldering is of course better but not truly necessary

 

Of course it's not necessary. But it sure is nice not ever having to worry about it.

 

Crimping, when done right, makes a better electrical connection than even soldering. I use either these for small connectors or one of these for larger ring connectors. The key is having the right crimping tool and not using a set of pliers or a hammer.

 

Please explain?

How can a "contact" type connection beat a braized connection on resistance? that's the main concern here, resistance of the connection.

 

A direct metal to metal connection like crimping has the least amount of resistance between the two pieces. On top of that solder is a relatively poor conductor of current.

 

The difference as far as an electrical standpoint is concerned has got to be very....VERY minimal. I don't like using crimp on connectors because they tend to work loose in time. 97Formula, I really liked your thought on it. I think I will start doing non-insulated crimp ons that Iwll also solder. Thanks for the tip!

 

Yup, i use both of those tools at work.

I remember hearing that Porshe wants there techs to use butt connectors wherever possible because they had less of a voltage drop than solder and shrink wrap. Not sure if its true , but pretty weird though.