The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: montmil on August 11, 2008, 02:35:16 PM
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Several years ago, there was an excellent article in Hot Rod Magazine concerning the addition of relays to the headlight circuits of older automobiles. As my 1986 VW Cabriolet had the dreaded nighttime "yellow eyes", I was interested. Particularly so as I had recently installed new headlights and they were still yeller.
Part of the rehab was using quality electrical terminals and soldering the wire to the terminal after a proper crimp. This yields an electrical connection that will deliver maximum current and be practically corrosion resistant.
The big deal is locating pre-tinned copper terminals. Most of what is available are an unknown metal, not copper. Test one by using a pair of nippers or side cutting pliers and see if the base metal is copper or something not copper.
The drill is to pre-solder the end of the wire, insert it into the pre-tinned copper terminal, crimp. then solder the junction.
Here's a link to the outfit that got me brightened up and driving a bit safer. Mark runs a one-man-band operation up Northern California way. He knows his stuff.
http://madelectrical.com/
I bought a boat load of terminals from MadElectrical but there always seems to be a shortage in the toolbox of just what I want. Enter WallyWorld to the rescue...
I recently bought a package of assorted terminals at WM. They are manufactured in the USA and sold under the 3M brand. In the shop, I clipped one of the terminals and, AhHa... pre-tinned copper!
I use a heat sink to keep the wire insulation from melting. A bit of shrink tubing tidies up the whole package. I find that they are well worth the slightly higher price of the Taiwan/Chinese terminals offered for less money.
Give these terminals a try when you're doing electrical hookups. You will not be disappointed.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FBMW%2520R65%2FDSCF0001_1-1.jpg&hash=777a9504744e2fb5631d5d79278a8d5c8e3ec37f)
These little rascals are the bomb when used as a heat sink. Just can't remember where I got 'em.
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Panduit, Hella, and AMP also make good connectors. I, at a minimum, always tin the end of the wire even if I don't plan on soldering on the connector. I do, however, make all joints with solder and heat shrink wherever possible. I buy most of my wiring stuffs from Waytek Wire or DEL City...
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For anyone on the "better" side of the big pond!, you could try here:-
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/home/homepage.php
They also have a motorcycle specific section or:-
http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/
for older bikes and bits.
I've used both regularly over the past years with excellent dealings in bits of kit/tools/spares etc.
Mike
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Have we just been insulted? But, I guess you guys are farther away from those nutters in Southern California than we are... :P No offense to the few normal SOCAL folks that may inhabit this asylum...
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Insult? Never! Not I! ;)
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Monte, I can hazard a guess as to why you can't remember where you acquired that little "fixture"... ;D
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i made to change to weather tight connectors years ago, they type you see come oem in the last 10 years. well i am a OEM for LP and refine fuels trucks. the weather pack connectors are easy to use with a couple simple and cheaper tools. little grease and them boys dont corroded or break easy.
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I would use more of them if I could find an inexpensive supply. All of the usual places I buy electrical/wiring bits from have a pretty small selection and they are quite "proud" of them...