Crimp tool

[k0ua]

What is a 'vampire' splice?

Tap a line type of splices like the typical blue splice that "taps" an existing wire carrying a voltage to take off in a different direction for another purpose. They are an insulation displacement type of tap.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Inhale.......exhale. Reread OPs original post and look at the pictures. It has two types of terminals. Spade terminals that take the Klein crimp style tool as several (including myself) have noted. The second is the splice terminals which is depicted in the video below.
Quick Splice Wire Connector for automotive use with Wiring Products - YouTube
Always and never are rarely accurate verbiage. All caps implies yelling. Correct and incorrect are also interesting word choices.

My statement was both completely correct and perfectly appropriate. Pliers are NEVER the correct tool for crimp connectors of any kind.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For my occasional and I do mean occasional use as in maybe once a year, my el Cheapo Klein pliers (about $10 30 years ago) that cut, strip and crimp work good enough. I also have another cheap Klein tool similar to the one in post #1 that work fine if you apply the right amount of pressure and use the right crimp joint. They also have a very good small screw cutter on them.

For water-proof connections, I might solder them together rather than use a crimp connection. A glob of silicone around the joint makes it waterproof. Even if I use the crimp connections, I always want to glob the joint with silicone to make the joint air and water tight. It may not be pretty, but it is much better than the best crimped connections using a $1000 tool if it isn't sealed afterward, especially if the joint may be exposed to salt water.
I don't think any crimped connections designed for home use are designed for salt water immersion.

 

[arrow]

Pliers are NEVER the correct tool for crimp connectors of any kind.

I think the confusion here is when a thread contribution enumerated the fact that "pliers" are used for the squishing down of the connector itself which is certainly the tool for such.. The "wiretap" part of the tap connector duo (which comes as a set) is indeed squished down with regular pliers. If not read carefully, one could just mush in the word "pliers" out of the concentrated context and carry the word into the "crimp connector "parts where as stated, not the tool for that job.

 

[Leejohn]

I use this Klein tool for everything. Including anderson powerpoles in a two step process. There are hundreds of crimp tools. But of all the ones I have tried, I like this simple tool the best.

Klein Tools 9-3/4 in. Crimping Tool-15SEN - The Home Depot

James I also have used many and ended up with the same one.

 

[arrow]

My opinion (and you know what opinions are worth...)

1. Ratcheting tool with interchangeable dies. I do automotive, telco/computer and video with one tool.

2. GOOD terminals with heat-shrinkable insulation. Not cheap, but I've gotten to the point where I use them on EVERYTHING. Extra strength, water and corrosion resistant.

3. "Vampire" splices are an invitation to failure. I won't use them on my worst enemy's equipment. Like most things that are "quick, inexpensive and convenient", they WILL come back to bite you on the butt.

I agree with everything you state here. But boy, with the impending Nor- Easter coming the next day, I needed a quick and dirty way of rigging up the l.e.d.s in a hurry. The wire taps filled that purpose nicely for the upcoming night time plow out. Just grabbed the tail light circuit....done.

 

[k0ua]

I agree with everything you state here. But boy, with the impending Nor- Easter coming the next day, I needed a quick and dirty way of rigging up the l.e.d.s in a hurry. The wire taps filled that purpose nicely for the upcoming night time plow out. Just grabbed the tail light circuit....done.

I bet if you filled the "tap a line" splice with a dab of silicone grease, it would mitigate many of the problems that users have with these type of insulation displacement splices. I know for a fact that there are "billions and billions" of insulation displacement connections made with small gauge telephone wire in service at this time. Maybe trillions and trillions of them. Granted they are not subject to water intrusion, and they are made with solid wire not stranded wire. But I am thinking that a dab of silicone grease might go a long way to making these splices more robust.

 

[arrow]

I bet if you filled the "tap a line" splice with a dab of silicone grease, it would mitigate many of the problems that users have with these type of insulation displacement splices. I know for a fact that there are "billions and billions" of insulation displacement connections made with small gauge telephone wire in service at this time. Maybe trillions and trillions of them. Granted they are not subject to water intrusion, and they are made with solid wire not stranded wire. But I am thinking that a dab of silicone grease might go a long way to making these splices more robust.

Sort of but no. I covered up the thing with that black silicone gasket cement. My idea made quite the mess but that's what nitrile gloves are for.. I like your idea lots better. Good idea James and what comes out of the most seemingly innocuous thread start.

 

[PHPaul]

I bet if you filled the "tap a line" splice with a dab of silicone grease, it would mitigate many of the problems that users have with these type of insulation displacement splices. I know for a fact that there are "billions and billions" of insulation displacement connections made with small gauge telephone wire in service at this time. Maybe trillions and trillions of them. Granted they are not subject to water intrusion, and they are made with solid wire not stranded wire. But I am thinking that a dab of silicone grease might go a long way to making these splices more robust.

I agree that a coating of silicone or other sealant is an improvement, but you touched on my major objection to them: They are NOT appropriate for stranded wire. I would be willing to bet a fair amount of money that 99 out of 100 of them have severed one or more strands when seated.

In so doing you have just degraded both the physical strength and current carrying capability of the wire.

I wish I had a dollar for every pickup or trailer lighting problem that I've traced to corroded and/or broken wires right at the splice.

Goes back to the old and indisputable axiom: "There's never time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over."

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I use this Klein tool for everything. Including anderson powerpoles in a two step process. There are hundreds of crimp tools. But of all the ones I have tried, I like this simple tool the best.

Klein Tools 9-3/4 in. Crimping Tool-15SEN - The Home Depot

I have been using one of these for 50 years, have found nothing better; works on both insulated and un-insulated connectors

 

[arrow]

I have been using one of these for 50 years, have found nothing better; works on both insulated and un-insulated connectors

These seem a better tool than the Channel lock ones. I have several Channel lock type pliers and a lot of them tend to slip and pinch fingers. I also have several out in the woods after such an experience.

 

[bigtiller]

I bought a crimper made by Ideal today at Lowes. It looks like it should hold up good enough for me.

 

[arrow]

I bought a crimper made by Ideal today at Lowes. It looks like it should hold up good enough for me.

View attachment 502561

Interesting BT. The labeling for insul/non as to what part of the crimper one should use is exactly backward from the Channel Lock tool

 

[breadtrk]

Interesting BT. The labeling for insul/non as to what part of the crimper one should use is exactly backward from the Channel Lock tool

It sure is. I just went around looking at all of mine and that pair pictured is 100% opposite of 2 Kleins, an Ideal, even the BS Autozone pair I bought for a road trip emergency one time.

 

[bigtiller]

Interesting BT. The labeling for insul/non as to what part of the crimper one should use is exactly backward from the Channel Lock tool

It sure is. I just went around looking at all of mine and that pair pictured is 100% opposite of 2 Kleins, an Ideal, even the BS Autozone pair I bought for a road trip emergency one time.

I had to investigate and sure enough, the pic i posted from the internet is labeled backwards. But the pair I bought are labeled correctly. That's actually amazing that a marketing department didn't pickup on that. Maybe Ideal's marketing dept is in China also?

 

[arrow]

I had to investigate and sure enough, the pic i posted from the internet is labeled backwards. But the pair I bought are labeled correctly. That's actually amazing that a marketing department didn't pickup on that. Maybe Ideal's marketing dept is in China also?

For 30 bucks a pop, you would think they'd get it right.