What generic automotive weatherproof electrical connectors/kit would you recommend?

[MinnesotaEric]

What general purpose weatherproof connectors do you guys use? I really should be using better connectors for for some of my work & need to get a kit of something. Fully shielded spade connectors work, but long term aren't great due to their lack of weatherproofsness. The semi-standard 2 pin 12v connectors aren't that weatherproof either & aren't relevant if you need more than 2 pins. I'm mostly thinking about standard automotive & tractor type stuff, 12v 0-20@ or so. I figure I'll drop $1-200 on a kit of some sort here at some point so I can start doing future projects right & re-do old stuff better when the inevitable corrosion gremlins show up.

Delphi Weatherpack kit like Amazon.com: Delphi Weatherpack Kit-1104 Pcs with Crimp Tool: Automotive?
Any better recommendations for a general purpose kit or style to get started on?

JEGS Performance Products 10750K, JEGS Weatherpack Connectors | JEGS Performance Products for pre 1994. Newer and you want the Metripack kit.

 

[Fallon]

JEGS Performance Products 10750K, JEGS Weatherpack Connectors | JEGS Performance Products for pre 1994. Newer and you want the Metripack kit.

I'm assuming they are the same only SAE vs. Metric or something like that?

Not specifically looking to interface with OEM stuff, but that would always be handy if the need arises. I'd rather have the tools & not need em than not have the tools... Mostly for my DIY projects like my power SSQA or bucket cam rather than OEM wiring harness repair.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

For permanent connections, I just use bare crimp terminals and cover it with high quality polyolefin heat shrink tubing (the kind that is thick-wall and has and inner layer that melts and squeezes into all the voids as well as out the ends).
When I first began equipment repair work for a living, my boss loved to spend many hours soldering splices together for everything....20 years later I realize we have just as many electrical issues in any system we work on, regardless of type of connectors / splices. What matters more is how you protects it and where you make the connections and what other things affect it. Of course there's some stuff that is just plain bad practice - never use plain unsealed connectors out in the weather, or rely on only electrical tape to seal a connection.
If I want to do a really nice job and have something removable, then I find Deutsch connectors / pins as required for the number of terminals. Weather Pack is my "next best" choice and I'd probably go that route for cost and speed sake.

 

[dragoneggs]

Not cheap but what I use... great quality and a favorite for marine industry.

https://www.electricalhub.com/heat-shrink-connectors-1

 

[truckdiagnostics]

The tool you use to crimp the insulated heat shrink connector is almost as important as the connector. If you break the seal when crimping or don't get enough of a crimp, point of using the good connector is useless.
Here is link to crimp tool i like
Molex Connector Part Number - 64016-0037
Here is link to solder-less connector i like.
Molex Connector Part Number - 64016-0037
I get them here
Welcome to Waytek
doing it right is not going to be cheap

 

[crazyal]

Couldn't find the company I dealt with but just going to ebay and doing a search for sealed automotive connectors will bring up a lot of inexpensive connector sets from China. They all come with a silicone seal for the end of the wire and between the connectors. I put a little dielectric grease to help seal the connectors. For couple bucks you can get a set of 10 connectors with free shipping. For that price you can buy a couple of sets of each type. I have a stock of 1,2,3,4, and 6 pin sets. I bet I have between 5 to 10 sets of each and less than $30 into it.

Years ago I worked as a quality assurance tech for a passenger rail car company. We would have to test the crimping tools to make sure the pins wouldn't pull off the wires when subjected to the listed force for the connector type. Often the government would have different levels of force. Because of this we always went to the highest level for our tests. If the crimper failed it was removed from service. I have several around the house. Industrial crimping tools can be found used on ebay as well. The work so much better than the cheap style crimping tools. This is the style I use for butt splice/ spade connectors. They make a similar crimper that has removable dies for doing the pins for the connector sets.