SentimentalValue

I got the OTVC kit from Thunderracing and have cut the wire to length and have put the boots on, so now I need to strip the insulation down to the wire.

Is the actual wire that carries the current wrapped around cloth/fibers with a black insulation, or is that black part the actual wire?


If I knick the "black" inner wire will that mess up the whole wire, or will it be alright b/c the current is jumping from the wire to the crimped metal end?

If I am as clear as mud on this question please tell me, and I"ll try to be more specific.

multicar

The whole black cloth/fiber cord is the current carrying 'wire'. As a general rule, its not a good idea to nick that part. It'll only come back to haunt you later.
Doug

Gripenfelter

The wire with the black spiral around it is the one you bend over and crimp.

I usually put the metal clip on and then push it into the boot (lube the boot the dielectric grease or oil). If you put the wire on the boot first you risk pulling the metal clip off.

http://www.automedia.com/Custom/Fit/...cr20050501cw/1

SentimentalValue

Appreciate that man, there was some good information that everyone needs to know if they haven't ever done this before.

Stuff like where he says to rotate the cut section counterclockwise to reveal the conductor, I actually figured that method out on my own when I was screwing with the coil wire as my practice wire .

Also, when they say to bend an 1/8 inch of the terminal ends 90 degrees for a secure crimp...

Good stuff.

MichiganSkip

Good article, if you plan to do more than a coulple sets in your lifetime, invest in the crimping tool. You just can't beat the tight crimp it gives, and I believe Moroso has a set that includes a cutting/stripping tool that gives just the right amount of cut without going into the core.

James Montigny

I wasn't terribly impressed with the hand-held crimping tool they sent me.
The one in the vice has worked much better for me on previous sets.
On the bright side, it didn't take too long and they have not caused me any trouble yet.

MichiganSkip

I use the one pictured that looks like a terminal crimper. NOT the one you put in a vice. Actually you can buy the crimping tool from quite a few different places and buy the dies to make it crimp terminals, amp connectors, plug wires etc. But the cutter/stripper that comes in the Moroso kits worke excellent.

SentimentalValue

I agree the hand-help crimping tool that comes in the kit from thunderracing is crap. I am going to go see if I can find a better one around.

When I was trying out the insulation stripping portion on the tool I set it to 10 guage (the largest setting it had) and I still knicked some of the wire... Go figure.

James Montigny

Heh, I use a pocket knife and my teeth
Been running UTP and Coax too long.

MichiganSkip

This is the CRIMPER I was talking about, not the one that comes with the Taylor wire set

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

SentimentalValue

Yeah, I ended up using a regular old box knife to get it started and then I twisted the insulation off (counterclockwise of course ). Worked out fine, so far, cranked the car up last night and didn't see any fireworks. Got the passenger side to do tonight .

James Montigny

3AM under a halogen lamp, the neibors will love you for it.
Give em a ride the next to to calm them down

SentimentalValue

Yep, I've been there before, I cranked mine up around 10 or so, so no big deal. Just bought this house less than a month ago, and one of my neighbors has a 95 Impala SS and I told him I'd take him around in my car once I got it running on all 8...

I think I've almost talked him into putting LT's on his car .