Ron's Dual 12 volt install

[MyronL]

When I use a twist on wire nut I always use electrical tape to keep things from coming apart.

[jxoco]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

And where did you purchase this setup

you will find a lot of them on amazon, many variations.

https://www.amazon.com/Linkstyle-Cha...6TAWJTPDWGKR94

https://www.amazon.com/Ginsco-Cigare...4RABN8K9AD1X40

I like the ones with RED leds, they don't light up the interior of the trailer so much.

[Randy in Maine]

I have a nice set of "open barrel crimpers" that I do most of my automotive crimping with pretty good success.

I have never been a big fan of these "Scotch Block" connectors like these that we sumetimes need to use....



I had a "boat guy" show me a little trick when using them. If you insert some basic silicon rtv sealant into the completed connection it 1) not only makes the connection a lot more watertight but 2) more importantly it greatly minimizes any vibration/looseness by keeping the connector "pretty tight" as it cures pretty solid.

Just another option to consider.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by MyronL

When I use a twist on wire nut I always use electrical tape to keep things from coming apart.

Me too Myron . Pat

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by MyronL

When I use a twist on wire nut I always use electrical tape to keep things from coming apart.

That's apparently considered an acceptable technique, at least in some situations. It's a little scary finding one of these with the tape dried out and falling off, and the wire nut itself falling off when touched.

I think a better solution - certainly a more convenient and reliable one - is to use a set-screw type connector. They used to come from Marr and were common, but they seem to be less common recently - here's an example from Ideal (available at Home Depot, etc):
Set-Screw Wire Connector, Model 10, 22-10 AWG

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Randy in Maine

I have never been a big fan of these "Scotch Block" connectors...

That's what I mentioned earlier:

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

• ...
• insulation-displacing connectors (such as 3M Scotchlok taps)
• ...

"Scotchlok" (made by 3M) - not "Scotch Block" - is just one brand, although probably the best known.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

That's apparently considered an acceptable technique, at least in some situations. It's a little scary finding one of these with the tape dried out and falling off, and the wire nut itself falling off when touched.

I think a better solution - certainly a more convenient and reliable one - is to use a set-screw type connector. They used to come from Marr and were common, but they seem to be less common recently - here's an example from Ideal (available at Home Depot, etc):
Set-Screw Wire Connector, Model 10, 22-10 AWG

I once was working at a hospital and learned from electrical workers that was what they did . Compared to housing , commercial had a lot stricter rules for doing anything . Pat

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

I once was working at a hospital and learned from electrical workers that was what they did . Compared to housing , commercial had a lot stricter rules for doing anything . Pat

I can believe that. Searching for a decent image of the set-screw connector, I ran across a discussion in an electrician's forum about them, in which someone commented that use of this type (instead of the twist-on wire nuts) in some commercial and industrial installations.

[Ron in BC]

Heck, I just look in my electrical box. They definitely are a secure method of joining wires.

I think that some problems with wire nuts is the lack of understanding of how to use them by the user. I've seen some fall apart because the installer wrapped stranded wire around a solid conductor. There are right and wrong ways to use them.

Ron