I am concerned about the use of connecting blocks on car wiring being dangerous. Any electrical work I do on my car I always use conneccting blocks to join new wires and as yet have had no reason to doubt them. But some are of the opinion they are dangerous and could start a fire. Opinions?
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I assume you mean the type where you put a wire in each side and tighten a screw on each to hold it in place? The problem with them is that the conductors are exposed to moisture and vibration even in the interior of the car causing corrosion and consequent failure. Far better to solder or use pre insulated butt crimp connectors and cover with heat shrink tubing then secure to adjacent wiring. The possibility of fire arises if the wires come loose, fall out of the block and short.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
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I agree with AM(TU), although I always solder the bare ends regardless of whether I'm using a chocolate block or crimp connector for the join, and infact usually solder the wire to the connector as well in the case of the latter. Together with always being careful to strain relieve the joint, I have never had a failed connection.
The connectors that I avoid at all costs are of a certain trademarked design. To give a clue, these connectors are usually blue, and are a lazy way of joing a wire to an existing wire by clamping round the latter and then pushing a blade through the insulator to the conductor inside. Before I learned the error or my ways, these always seemed to work loose eventually, as well as suffer from the aforementioned oxidisation problems because they leave exposed conductor.
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Many Thanks, The point about corrosion is a valid one and one I hadn't even thought about. It's enough for me to backtrack all my wiring and solder the joints. Thanks again
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There is no reason to doubt them if they are sealed.correct way to do it is make the connection.then use insulating tape to wrap around the connector.prefered way is start from around an inch before connector on each turn overlap by half width of tape.finish an inch after joint.joint then sealed.never had a problem with chockblock.Those blue type connectors are dangerous.points made are correct.but some wont buy a soldering iron.
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Was mech1
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I was told by an oldtime auto electrician that proper crimp connecters were the best bet. Soldering causes problems where the flexible bit of the wires turns into soldered - if there is any flexing at all this is a weak point that will fail with fatigue eventually. He said crimps were mechanically better than solder and also less likely to corrode. A dab of dielctric grease each end of the crimp keeps the water out.
Martin
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Nothing wrong with crimp connectors or scotchlocks if care is taken during the crimping. I guess that the motor trade uses millions every day. Although mechanically strong they are a bit unreliable in wet conditions, no matter what precautions you take, water will get in and cause corrosion problems. In my experience no amount of insulating tape or sealant works, often it just traps water in the joint.
Maybe this new fangled \'self amalgamating\' rubber tape (that I used in the \'70s) might form a watertight covering, or maybe some now unavailable proper fabric black tape.
As for the soldered /screwed / crimped joints I read many years ago that BT don\'t use this method as when the screw or crimp is applied to the soldered wire, the solder \'gives\' a bit and helps to form a nice tight connection. The problem is over time the solder keeps on \'giving\' and eventually causes a loose connection.
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Connections in Aircraft are crimped
Nuff said
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ISTR BT used to use just 'wrapped' joints - yes, the wire just wrappped round the terminal. I remember working on ancient computers and they were the same 1000's of joints just wrapped 5 or 6 times round the terminal - extremely reliable,
Martin
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Ah yes indeed. I still have my wire wrapping tool. A computer upgrade or feature change often meant severla hundred wire wrap changes on the back planes.
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I have been using choc blocks on ICE installations for god knows how many years. personally i have never had any problems. just make sure they are tight, and then seal with tape. i know that there are better ways, but chock blocks are just easier. i know several ppl who just use the wrap around and seal method, and they are quite happy with that, i guess as long as they are well insulated, its just down to personal preference.
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Personally, I'm always amazed at the standard of electrical connectors and fuse systems in cars - crimp blocks and soldered wires with insulating tape !!
Go have a look at:
uk.farnell.com/
There are high-performance waterproof connectors - proper strain relief systems with wires soldered into the connector. Providing you solder correctly (no dry joints) and clamp the strain relief, the connector will stay electrically sound for years - probably outlast the car.
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