Heatshrink crimps-silly question

Pikey Dave · 26 April 2015, 21:51

Ok, so I'm starting to do a bit of prep work ready for rigging the new BP & I'm using heatshrink crimps for the first time. I'm using "proper" ratchet crimping pliers for insulated terminals, the ones with the red, blue & yellow dies. Here's the thing, if I crimp before heatshrinking the insulation, the crimp doesn't fit into the die & the crimp is crooked. If I shrink, then crimp, the insulation is damaged, where am I going wrong?

Bigtalljv · 26 April 2015, 21:59

you have the correct dies in the ratchet? I have a kit that came with multiple dies which are similar but different.

Jason

mick · 26 April 2015, 22:05

http://youtu.be/MRiTQJN5Dc8
There's doesn't look even

Pikey Dave · 26 April 2015, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

you have the correct dies in the ratchet? I have a kit that came with multiple dies which are similar but different.

Jason

I'm not sure, according to the supplier's website, you use regular crimping pliers. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Nos4r2 · 26 April 2015, 22:31

Heatshrink or glue lined heatshrink?

Glue lined is much much better.You can carefully do them using a cheap Halfrauds crimper. It'll damage the insulation in a small, neat square at the actual pressure point of main crimp if you're not very very careful,but it doesn't matter-the glue will come up through the hole and re-make the insulation.

Got a pic of the exact terminals you're using?

Pikey Dave · 26 April 2015, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Heatshrink or glue lined heatshrink?

Glue lined is much much better.You can carefully do them using a cheap Halfrauds crimper. It'll damage the insulation in a small, neat square at the actual pressure point of main crimp if you're not very very careful,but it doesn't matter-the glue will come up through the hole and re-make the insulation.

Got a pic of the exact terminals you're using?

These are the ones Nos, I'd thought about the old style el cheapo pliers. The problem seems to be the narrow "Waist" that the piers have to fit in. My pliers are too wide & damage the un-shrunk insulation.

whisper · 26 April 2015, 23:14

Dude, if you want perfection go for the Glue lined heat shrink ones, ask Daniel on here who did the electrics on the Macrib, he has a box marked "the expensive ones" for special jobs

Well worth it if your are rigging your new ride

Poly · 26 April 2015, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

These are the ones Nos, I'd thought about the old style el cheapo pliers. The problem seems to be the narrow "Waist" that the piers have to fit in. My pliers are too wide & damage the un-shrunk insulation.

Are your pliers "sided" ? One side of the die is a pair of flats with a curve between and the other pair are smooth curves with no flats? The part with the "flats" is intended for the "fatter" side of the crimp and the curves go on the narrow side.

Nos4r2 · 26 April 2015, 23:32

They're the same as these I think, and the same as the ones I did the Ballistic with.

Get a pair of el cheapos-I use these:-

Silverline PL52 Crimping & Stripping Pliers - 230mm Electrical Crimpers | eBay

and experiment with the non-insulated crimping part. It's not quick, but it does produce decent results.

Nos4r2 · 26 April 2015, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Dude, if you want perfection go for the Glue lined heat shrink ones, ask Daniel on here who did the electrics on the Macrib, he has a box marked "the expensive ones" for special jobs

Well worth it if your are rigging your new ride

That's what he's got.

Chris · 27 April 2015, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Ok, so I'm starting to do a bit of prep work ready for rigging the new BP & I'm using heatshrink crimps for the first time. I'm using "proper" ratchet crimping pliers for insulated terminals, the ones with the red, blue & yellow dies. Here's the thing, if I crimp before heatshrinking the insulation, the crimp doesn't fit into the die & the crimp is crooked. If I shrink, then crimp, the insulation is damaged, where am I going wrong?

Crimp then shrink... Always.

Be aware that you can also get ratcheting crimpers that are for heat shrink terminals, as they require a different shaped crimp and a narrower jaw. I know from experience that normal ratchet crimpers don't grip the wire so well.

Chris · 27 April 2015, 00:28

Heat Shrink Terminal Ratchet Crimping Pliers Butt Connector Wire Crimp Tool | eBay

These work well...

whisper · 27 April 2015, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Heat Shrink Terminal Ratchet Crimping Pliers Butt Connector Wire Crimp Tool | eBay

These work well...

Thats similar to the one I have but it only works one way round, on mine (red handles) it has spots of paint indicating red, blue and yellow, these spots have to be facing the wire and then it crimps ok

Pikey Dave · 27 April 2015, 17:03

Thanks for all the input fellas, it appears it's just the female spades that are the problem, the waist is too short to accommodate the jaws of the pliers, so I'll just use some old school cheapo ones for those.

jyasaki · 27 April 2015, 17:08

I wasn't clear if you have the adhesive lined shrink tubing or not, but if you don't, you can approximate it by sticking a sliver of hot glue stick in the tubing before shrinking.

jky

Pikey Dave · 27 April 2015, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

I wasn't clear if you have the adhesive lined shrink tubing or not, but if you don't, you can approximate it by sticking a sliver of hot glue stick in the tubing before shrinking.

jky

Hi JKY, yes they are the bloody expensive adhesive lined ones. I wasted one finding out about the crimping plier mis-match, I'm still shaking

Bigtalljv · 27 April 2015, 18:33

I found them in the USA for less on good old Ebay. I too had issues with the spade connectors. They fit goofy and the heatshrink would get cut and spit when heated. I think I discovered that a different set of dies worked better.

I have this tool, or one just like it, S & G Tool Aid 18920 Ratcheting Terminal Crimping Kit- 5 Piece - Crimpers - Amazon.com