Recommended Electrical Connectors?

[flyinfish]

I'm a fan of Deutsch, their Solid pins and contacts are excellent over stamped.

 

[Apparition]

Ok, I'm returning to this thread to ask a related question. Most of the discussion so far has been about connecting individual wires. But now I'm interested in multi-pin connectors. So this brings back up the pros and cons of, say, Molex or WeatherPack or Deutsch.

I think I just listed those three in increasing order of price, quality, and difficulty for a beginner. Yes? Or is there another brand that's known as the go-to equivalent of whatever was originally used in our TJs?

Been playing with some molex connectors on a project using 20 awg wire, I need better eyes for that stuff.

Deutsch are very easy to work with once you can get past the price.

 

[Lou]

In my experience the Deutsch DT connectors are the best for general all around use. They have good sealing and the crimps almost never fail. They are also probably the most expensive option in the home game market. A good Deutsch crimper is $400.

My second choice and the ones I use on my LJ are the Metripack. The 150 series is good for overall use up to 15 amps or so. Then they have a 280 and 480 series for the higher load stuff. Crimpers are cheap and there are some good quality units on Amazon and eBay. They are decently easy to service in the field and most parts stores have components for them.

My last choice would be Weatherpack. It's an older technology. The biggest issue I have with them is the pins. They use a round style pin that has a tendency to misalign and unseat.

Chrysler used a grab bag of connectors from the factory. Depends on the component manufacturer as well as who they owed money to at the time. Most TJs used the Apex 2.8 series connector on the Chrysler parts. They are still available from Delphi or Aptiv or whoever they are today. They use a similar crimper to the Metripack and Weatherpack. Other sensors use Sumitomo connectors and there are also some Tyco and Molex sprinkled in for whatever reason.

Jr ready makes multiple good deutsch crimpers in the 1-200 dollar range. While their crimpers and tools are decent the connectors and pins they sell are hot garbage.

 

[SSTJ]

Very helpful so far, thanks.

I'm not sure yet whether I'll have enough need/use to invest in crimpers and learn how to work with any particular brand's pins and how to set them, etc. Maybe in time. For now and for this one-time need, I might go with something like this. I can certainly connect my wires to the pigtails with my existing equipment.

But please keep the comments coming. I can update the original post for anyone else who comes along wondering.

 

[3jeepfan]

Jr ready makes multiple good deutsch crimpers in the 1-200 dollar range. While their crimpers and tools are decent the connectors and pins they sell are hot garbage.

I purchased a pair of deutsch style crimpers from amazon. I believe thery are Iwiss brand. For about $35 seem to work fine.

 

[Lou]

I purchased a pair of deutsch style crimpers from amazon. I believe thery are Iwiss brand. For about $35 seem to work fine.

Those style work fine but you need a different crimper for sz 12, 16, and 20 terminals.

If you deal with the various size contacts and connectors it’s very nice to have 1 crimp tool to handle all of them.

 

[3jeepfan]

Those style work fine but you need a different crimper for sz 12, 16, and 20 terminals.

If you deal with the various size contacts and connectors it’s very nice to have 1 crimp tool to handle all of them.

True, the pair I have crimp 16 18 & 20 ga. At the time, that's all I needed. Someday I'll need 12 or 14 ga.

 

[B1Toad]

FYI the high quality Raychem solder sleeves mentioned early in this thread are available on Ebay in 100 and 1,000 packs for a reasonable price. They are blue so I'm assuming for 16- 14 AWG.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1260645569...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1161081512...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Lou]

True, the pair I have crimp 16 18 & 20 ga. At the time, that's all I needed. Someday I'll need 12 or 14 ga.

It’s not so much about wire gauge, it’s about the different size terminals/connectors that are commonly used.

 

[astjp2]

FYI the high quality Raychem solder sleeves mentioned early in this thread are available on Ebay in 100 and 1,000 packs for a reasonable price. They are blue so I'm assuming for 16- 14 AWG.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1260645569...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1161081512...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

Those use aircraft wire gauges which are one size smaller than auto or home wire… just as an fyi

 

[mrblaine]

I purchased a pair of deutsch style crimpers from amazon. I believe thery are Iwiss brand. For about $35 seem to work fine.

I have both, Iwiss and JR Ready, no comparison. JR is hands down better if you plan to do a lot of connectors.

 

[Lou]

Jr ready has done an excellent job at ripping off the original deutsch crimp tool. The quality of crimp you get for the price leaves no reason to spend full price for the genuine tool. One of the rare times I would recommend you buy the knock off over the genuine tool.

That’s mostly because I think the genuine tool is over priced and I enjoy the kick in the balls they got when the chinks made a perfect copy.