what do you use to connect the wire before soldering and where can you get them?

 

I use standard crimp connectors. Then I pull the insulation off, crimp it onto the wires, then solder and then slide heat shrink back over it.

 

Yup that's how I do it, or you can buy the mechanical connectors without the plastic casing as well, this is what I use. Also a little dab of dielectric grease before the heat shrink tube goes over will help add a bit of corrosion protection.

 

thanks guys i need to go shopping! What gauge wire? for all the sensors?

 

Not sure on the gauge wire, but bigger gauge wire is always better then smaller. If you have to cut and splice pieces in anyway, can you bring one of your connectors, with wires attached, down with you?

 

I have been using this method since 1965 as it was taught to me in shop class.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4487788_sold...-together.html

On multiple leads within the same area of the harness it is wise to stagger the connection points of the individual wires. You never want to cut all the leads at the same point in the harness and splice them side by side.

Before the invention of shrink tubing came along I used the old time method of using plastic electrical tape coated with clear Rustolium aerosol paint which still works for the large harness cables when required. As a matter of fact I still use the painted tape method on my TV antenna connection seals which have held up to mother nature for over 10 years without failure.

 

When I butt splice 2 wires, I make a hook on each end, hook them together, 'crimp' down the hooks with my fingers, and then solder them together.

Here are pics on how I split one wire off another. Don't mind the nasty wire, it was scrap in the trash that was good enough to take pics.

Cut the jacketing in 2 places as if you were going to strip the wire





Then take a razor blade and split the jacketing between the 2 cuts. You can then remove the section of jacketing.



Split the strands into 2 sections



Take your wire you will be adding in, run it through the center of the other wire, then wrap the excess around a few times. Then you can solder the wires together.

 

Nice splice!!!!
Jim

 

Trebor and Gots a Sol, Thanks for the additional ideas, always good to have another approach to things.