Cowboy Electrics
- iandvl
- Location: Garsfontein
- Has thanked: 724 times
- Been thanked: 567 times
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2022 12:54 pm
- Contact:
Cowboy Electrics
I was chatting with Manny a few minutes ago. And thought I needed to post this.
May years ago when I bought my Patrol, I was always confused by some thick, red wire running from the battery. A while later, some Corolla skipped a red-light and we had an altercation. The Patrol required a bit of tupperware (ie: bumper trim). The Corolla was ripped open from the engine bay to the driver's door (bumper stiffener). But I digress.
At that point, the reason for the thick, red cable, became apparent whilst repairing the bumper. It was a cable that the previous owner had used to presumably power his trailer. 100% live, and totally unfused. I still shudder to think what may have happened with that should it have shorted. In any case, I hate cowboy electrics....
That said, often times, people are confused about the reason for fuses and properly crimped connections.
1: A fused circuit will short out (ie: the fuse will burn) when there is a short circuit on the fuse.
2: A poor connection will burn. If there is a properly specced fuse on the circuit it will hopefully blow (ie: as temperature goes up, so does resistance, so does current usage). But a poorly connected circuit will possibly cause even more damage than a dead short...
There are two things I feel very strongly about.
1: Rated fuses for live circuits as close to the battery as possible.
2: Properly crimped connections.
I'm based in Pretoria. I have various crimpers for various applications - including a proper hydraulic crimper for heavy-use applications. For example: I reckon I can probably replace the local Eskom wiring, but that would be illegal....
In short: if ever in a bind, crimping-wise, bring the stuff to me in Garsfontein and let us all do it properly. Also: I like beer.
May years ago when I bought my Patrol, I was always confused by some thick, red wire running from the battery. A while later, some Corolla skipped a red-light and we had an altercation. The Patrol required a bit of tupperware (ie: bumper trim). The Corolla was ripped open from the engine bay to the driver's door (bumper stiffener). But I digress.
At that point, the reason for the thick, red cable, became apparent whilst repairing the bumper. It was a cable that the previous owner had used to presumably power his trailer. 100% live, and totally unfused. I still shudder to think what may have happened with that should it have shorted. In any case, I hate cowboy electrics....
That said, often times, people are confused about the reason for fuses and properly crimped connections.
1: A fused circuit will short out (ie: the fuse will burn) when there is a short circuit on the fuse.
2: A poor connection will burn. If there is a properly specced fuse on the circuit it will hopefully blow (ie: as temperature goes up, so does resistance, so does current usage). But a poorly connected circuit will possibly cause even more damage than a dead short...
There are two things I feel very strongly about.
1: Rated fuses for live circuits as close to the battery as possible.
2: Properly crimped connections.
I'm based in Pretoria. I have various crimpers for various applications - including a proper hydraulic crimper for heavy-use applications. For example: I reckon I can probably replace the local Eskom wiring, but that would be illegal....
In short: if ever in a bind, crimping-wise, bring the stuff to me in Garsfontein and let us all do it properly. Also: I like beer.
Ian de Villiers
Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
- Paul#25
- Location: Ekurhuleni
- Has thanked: 238 times
- Been thanked: 206 times
- Posts: 1386
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:01 pm
I agree 100% with you on wiring. Being trained in an aircraft trade you get to learn all the correct ways to connect up wiring and do crimping of splices. I've spent days redoing wiring on vehicles I've worked on some "auto lektrician" has butchered the wiring harnesses.
I have a good stock of lots of different sizes and colors of automotive wires here. I'll make a similar offer to what you have done with regards to correctly crimping terminals but on the East Rand.
I have a good stock of lots of different sizes and colors of automotive wires here. I'll make a similar offer to what you have done with regards to correctly crimping terminals but on the East Rand.
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5
2004 Disco 2 Td5
-
- Location: Ekurhuleni
- Has thanked: 71 times
- Been thanked: 145 times
- Posts: 1082
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2018 7:06 am
- Contact:
Yip Some guys do not understand Fire by the wire
My recently acquired trailer is a prime example
12V DC and 220V AC crammed in to a AC 4x4 plug box
And the 2x Deep cycle battery box with the thick wires as extra laying loose in the box with eye lugs on the ends not even closed with insulation tape
Guy thought it should not short as it is in a Plastic ammo box
I removed everything and will be doing a proper installation
My recently acquired trailer is a prime example
12V DC and 220V AC crammed in to a AC 4x4 plug box
And the 2x Deep cycle battery box with the thick wires as extra laying loose in the box with eye lugs on the ends not even closed with insulation tape
Guy thought it should not short as it is in a Plastic ammo box
I removed everything and will be doing a proper installation
Syncro Cox Camper
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys
SJ 410 TarzanTiny
Millennium Beetle VR6 T Liberty
And a few VW Air cooled Toys
- Mad Manny
- Location: Johannesburg
- Has thanked: 454 times
- Been thanked: 890 times
- Posts: 6467
- Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2018 9:31 am
Choc block terminal connectors must be in a box.
Insulation tape is for cowboys...
Insulation tape is for cowboys...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
-
- Location: De Wildt
- Has thanked: 196 times
- Been thanked: 308 times
- Posts: 701
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2022 9:38 am
- Contact:
Agreed, I only use choc blocks and tape for a temporary install to see that everything works. A proper IP65 junction box is the best, indoor or outdoor.
Off topic, but I'm thinking of ditching choc blocks for Wago type connectors. The extra cost is often worth it.
(I am not an electrician, just a dumb DIY oke that just built a brewpub..........)
-
- Location: Nambia
- Has thanked: 601 times
- Been thanked: 244 times
- Posts: 1757
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:40 pm
Pffft, what do you okes know?
This has been running like clockwork for years now.
This has been running like clockwork for years now.
Ranger Mildtrak
Scorpio Curry Cruiser
A tos-lookin', lunchbox, lipstick and powder puff carryin' home-built trailer
Scorpio Curry Cruiser
A tos-lookin', lunchbox, lipstick and powder puff carryin' home-built trailer
- Bugjuic
- Location: Centurion
- Has thanked: 182 times
- Been thanked: 87 times
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:47 pm
OK so Ian, on that topic. I am wiring a whole setup for a friend in two weeks.
In short, basically to keep batteries charged and run a fridge in the off-road camper and a fridge on the back of his bakkie...
Thus ordered 16mm^2 wire with a rated 50A fuse, hood mounted,(no, not a blade fuse, a strip fuse), one on the mains, and a second one T-piece to the rear of the bakkie for the fridge(20A). 12meters in total. Obviously running in wire wrap.
Both rear plugs will be 50A Harrison plugs, I have always soldered and heat shrinked my harrison/anderson plugs, but know many people crimp them so they are not hard and will not break off under vibration. What is your experience on this? Crimp or solder, as not all of us have such nice toys as you do?
In short, basically to keep batteries charged and run a fridge in the off-road camper and a fridge on the back of his bakkie...
Thus ordered 16mm^2 wire with a rated 50A fuse, hood mounted,(no, not a blade fuse, a strip fuse), one on the mains, and a second one T-piece to the rear of the bakkie for the fridge(20A). 12meters in total. Obviously running in wire wrap.
Both rear plugs will be 50A Harrison plugs, I have always soldered and heat shrinked my harrison/anderson plugs, but know many people crimp them so they are not hard and will not break off under vibration. What is your experience on this? Crimp or solder, as not all of us have such nice toys as you do?
It's all relative...
Peet Kruger
2009 Fortuner 4.0 V6
Peet Kruger
2009 Fortuner 4.0 V6
-
- Location: De Wildt
- Has thanked: 196 times
- Been thanked: 308 times
- Posts: 701
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2022 9:38 am
- Contact:
Just to cause complete confusion, some people solder AND crimp..........
Some tin the end of the strands, then insert into the crimp and fasten.
Others crimp, then solder onto the crimp.........
Some tin the end of the strands, then insert into the crimp and fasten.
Others crimp, then solder onto the crimp.........
- Paul#25
- Location: Ekurhuleni
- Has thanked: 238 times
- Been thanked: 206 times
- Posts: 1386
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:01 pm
The lugs are designed to be crimped only. Adding solder to the joint is causing a possible failure point where the now solid wire transitions to the flexible strands. That is the point that the individual wire strands will start failing and causing a high resistance. That is the point where the fire will start.
The humble person makes room for progress; the arrogant person believes they’re already there.
2004 Disco 2 Td5
2004 Disco 2 Td5
- iandvl
- Location: Garsfontein
- Has thanked: 724 times
- Been thanked: 567 times
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2022 12:54 pm
- Contact:
Peet
Regarding your comment about not everybody having 'such nice toys'" As mentioned in post 1, this is a free service. Rock up, crimp, go. Easy peasy when I am available.
It is a far better option than a burnt out vehicle.
I think post 1 also mentions the fact that I like beer...
Regarding your comment about not everybody having 'such nice toys'" As mentioned in post 1, this is a free service. Rock up, crimp, go. Easy peasy when I am available.
It is a far better option than a burnt out vehicle.
I think post 1 also mentions the fact that I like beer...
Ian de Villiers
Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
- Mad Manny
- Location: Johannesburg
- Has thanked: 454 times
- Been thanked: 890 times
- Posts: 6467
- Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2018 9:31 am
Peet goes on an expensive detour to fit an oil cooler to his autobox then refers to people with crimping tools as "having nice toys"....
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
- Bugjuic
- Location: Centurion
- Has thanked: 182 times
- Been thanked: 87 times
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:47 pm
Then I will have to take you up on that offer , as a matter of fact I also like beer, so always have spareiandvl wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 9:23 pmPeet
Regarding your comment about not everybody having 'such nice toys'" As mentioned in post 1, this is a free service. Rock up, crimp, go. Easy peasy when I am available.
It is a far better option than a burnt out vehicle.
I think post 1 also mentions the fact that I like beer...
It's all relative...
Peet Kruger
2009 Fortuner 4.0 V6
Peet Kruger
2009 Fortuner 4.0 V6