12 Volt Electrical Accessory Wiring

[Runner]

Seems I'm encountering many situations where I need to splice 12 volt accessory wiring (spreaders, sprayers, battery maintainers, etc.). In some cases, I just need to add a new SAE plug to the 2-wire cable. Does anyone have a good, clean way to do this? I have tried twisting/soldering wires, end-to-end crimp connections, spade connectors, etc., but they are all very untidy with big globs of electrical tape in the middle of the wire.

I haven't been able to find any quick connect plugs, so wind up buying these things which then have to be spliced in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BQJ4CHDY/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=32a50b238800709042363a53d8352209&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1779290835&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_s_sparkle_sbtcd_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=RtrLf&content-id=amzn1.sym.2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507%3Aamzn1.sym.2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507&pf_rd_p=2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507&pf_rd_r=7KM43QN91FBVF8BCT61A&pd_rd_wg=3Fliz&pd_rd_r=c252d79a-fb7a-4f9a-a2c2-174c2de63574&th=1

I guess what I would like to find is something like this
50PCS Double Wire Plug-in Connectors with Locking Buckle, Quick Clip Snap-On Fasteners for LED Strip Lights, DIY Wiring, Low Voltage Projects & Model Kits: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
but I can't find any that can handle a 12 - 14 gage wire.

I would love to see what everyone else is doing for this.

 

[rontaki]

There are twist-lock connectors, maybe best used with a grease or lubricant made for electrical connection and safe for plastic, to keep corrosion at bay. I've used them for car headlights.

Amazon.com

 

[RayIN]

13G awg wire is rated at 20a

Seems I'm encountering many situations where I need to splice 12 volt accessory wiring (spreaders, sprayers, battery maintainers, etc.). In some cases, I just need to add a new SAE plug to the 2-wire cable. Does anyone have a good, clean way to do this? I have tried twisting/soldering wires, end-to-end crimp connections, spade connectors, etc., but they are all very untidy with big globs of electrical tape in the middle of the wire.

I haven't been able to find any quick connect plugs, so wind up buying these things which then have to be spliced in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BQJ4CHDY/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=32a50b238800709042363a53d8352209&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1779290835&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_s_sparkle_sbtcd_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=RtrLf&content-id=amzn1.sym.2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507%3Aamzn1.sym.2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507&pf_rd_p=2fb72bc8-96ef-420d-b08f-c04b69f36507&pf_rd_r=7KM43QN91FBVF8BCT61A&pd_rd_wg=3Fliz&pd_rd_r=c252d79a-fb7a-4f9a-a2c2-174c2de63574&th=1

I guess what I would like to find is something like this
50PCS Double Wire Plug-in Connectors with Locking Buckle, Quick Clip Snap-On Fasteners for LED Strip Lights, DIY Wiring, Low Voltage Projects & Model Kits: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
but I can't find any that can handle a 12 - 14 gage wire.

I would love to see what everyone else is doing for this.

14G wire is rated for 20A max., even then the wire/plug gets hot with continuous use.

 

[Runner]

This is what my connections are looking like now:

There's got to be a cleaner way to do it.

 

[bcp]

Try some of these.

Heat Shrink Butt Connectors | Adhesived Lined | Waterproof

Cable protectors, Cord Covers and Wire Management products help organize messy cables, reduce tripping hazards, and adds protection to your cables.

www.electriduct.com

Bruce

 

[mrmikey]

What BCP posted work fine. Be aware of those Chinesium SAE plugs. I bought some that were supposed to be 14ga and you were lucky if they were 20, bought some others advertised as copper and they were CCA, copper coated aluminum.

 

[garry1p]

I use WAGOS expensive but work great.

Look them up on google

 

[WranglerX]

Noithing wrong with this...

Best in splice the world is simple twists wire, and solder and HEATSHRINK..... Have been wiring things (38 years telecommunications) and another 30 Plus years on my own doing full highway legal wiring of hobby cars and trailers and such and the is no excuse for unacceptal results while not understanding the simple and best ways to do it..... Yes ratchet crimper to get proper crimp, dielectric grease to seal connection from corrosion, and heat shrink to insulate and protect the connection....Stop trying to get Chinesiun poor cheap electrical stuff at local autoparts and invest if commercial level electrical products....

Sorry do not mean to sound brutal but electrical work is so simple once you grasp basic concepts....

Good sources of parts and wire and connectors...

https://www.delcity.net

https://www.waytekwire.com/

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

What I've done on mowers & tractors is install a universal cigarette lighter. I use 12 gauge (or 10 if it's a long run) going right to the battery. Then a 20A fuse for the hot lead right at the battery. That protects everything from fuse to lighter.
Then anything I want 12V power just use a male lighter plug. When not in use keep the lighter in it.
Lots of accessories work with a lighter like a USB phone charger of a light...(or light your see-gar ).

 

[dieselscout80]

13G awg wire is rated at 20a

14G wire is rated for 20A max., even then the wire/plug gets hot with continuous use.

At what length as the amp rating drops as the circuit gets longer?

When I was wiring my 12 spreader what found was 14 gauge is to light for continuous duty use at 20 amps.

I think I went with 10 gauge just to be safe, but I would bet 12 gauge would work just fine.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

I use these. They are great if you need a permanent power source. I run the power from the starter positive because it was the closest power source. The battery is in front of the radiator. These are heavy duty and reliable. Fuse or install a resettable breaker in the circuit. These are rated for 50 amps. They make a 175 amp version but those are for 1/0 cable. This makes a neat installation and everything is shielded from accidental contact against anything metal. If it's worth doing it's worth making a neat tidy installation. I use it to power the pump on my 3 point sprayer.

If I needed 20 amp power then I would use no less than 12 gauge and with this style plug you can easily use larger.

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