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View Full Version : Wiring for a novice.....


ocdstigy
09-01-12, 01:21 PM
As above,id like to learn about wiring in general,replacing/conversion wiring,not really got a clue what im doing,tips tricks and hints welcome,thank you.
Stuart
09-01-12, 01:48 PM
www.polevolt.co.uk or www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk (google for real addresses) for crimping tools and terminals (go for uninsulated imho and then add the shrouds).

Be patient and you will have a good job done. I try to avoid soldering as much as possible as its not so fantastic on modern (read, after 1995ish) harnesses as they are thin wire and fine strand copper which makes for a failure point.
Southie
09-01-12, 01:49 PM
Maybe have a start reading through this WIREME (http://www.constructorscarclub.org.nz/Articles/wiringpart1.html) Hope it helps :)
Benn
09-01-12, 04:36 PM
www.polevolt.co.uk or www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk (google for real addresses) for crimping tools and terminals (go for uninsulated imho and then add the shrouds).

Be patient and you will have a good job done. I try to avoid soldering as much as possible as its not so fantastic on modern (read, after 1995ish) harnesses as they are thin wire and fine strand copper which makes for a failure point.

Do you crimp all your connections then?
swedge
09-01-12, 05:00 PM
twist and heatshrink :)
ocdstigy
09-01-12, 05:00 PM
Maybe have a start reading through this WIREME (http://www.constructorscarclub.org.nz/Articles/wiringpart1.html) Hope it helps :)

That is a big help,thank you
ocdstigy
09-01-12, 05:01 PM
www.polevolt.co.uk or www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk (google for real addresses) for crimping tools and terminals (go for uninsulated imho and then add the shrouds).

Be patient and you will have a good job done. I try to avoid soldering as much as possible as its not so fantastic on modern (read, after 1995ish) harnesses as they are thin wire and fine strand copper which makes for a failure point.

Excellent,also a big help,much appreciated.
Benn
09-01-12, 05:33 PM
twist and heatshrink :)

lol really? Oh.
Stuart
09-01-12, 07:20 PM
Do you crimp all your connections then?

I'd say about 95% are crimped that I do for work or home use
Benn
09-01-12, 08:06 PM
Can i ask why you dont solder? Is it from the case it can go "brittle"?
Stuart
09-01-12, 08:45 PM
Can i ask why you dont solder? Is it from the case it can go "brittle"?
Ya
Modern fine strand wires wick up solder a long way and can cause a stress point inside the insulation that you can't see till it goes.
I've found mta splice blocks are freaking life savers for making lots of splits or joins to a single signal wire
ocdstigy
09-01-12, 11:22 PM
Good information cheers,nice to be on a forum where i can get a straight answer rather than 'put it to a garage' or 'buy a haynes manual'
mowgli
10-01-12, 06:23 AM
if playing with old vauxhalls, remember, they use the same colour wire for one specific job on all the different models (astra cav etc) so the fuel pump relay wire is the same etc....
the best thing is to learn how to read a wiring diagram, and familiarise yourself with layouts, then modifying a wiring loom starts to look easy.
ocdstigy
10-01-12, 10:05 AM
if playing with old vauxhalls, remember, they use the same colour wire for one specific job on all the different models (astra cav etc) so the fuel pump relay wire is the same etc....
the best thing is to learn how to read a wiring diagram, and familiarise yourself with layouts, then modifying a wiring loom starts to look easy.

More great information,thank you.
swedge
10-01-12, 10:20 AM
just use speaker wire and plasters to join it all together, ive seen cars like that so it must work haha
ocdstigy
10-01-12, 10:22 AM
just use speaker wire and plasters to join it all together, ive seen cars like that so it must work haha

Was told manifold heat wrap works wonders ;)