Source for Tracer Wire

[montmil]

We can all get well with this resource!

Rhode Island Wiring Service sells all the correct color-tracer and solid color wire you need to rebuild all or part of your BMW electrical system. And with only a ten-foot minimum purchase, this is nirvana for repairs, upgrades and resto chores.

The ABC list was chatting wiring harness and I thought of our man i-man with his toasty FrankenBeemer. I asked about tracer wire sources... Bingo!

http://www.riwire.com/
Click on Supplies > Wire Colors, and Wire By The Foot

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Nice to have a resource like that.  If you can't find it there you can probably live without it.  Having said that, without doubt that is the most confusing catalog and price list I have ever seen!

It would probably be a good idea to have several feet of the most common items in stock in the garage.  BTW Monte, how about a recommendation for a good quality soldering gun or iron for the small stuff?

[montmil]

... how about a recommendation for a good quality soldering gun or iron for the small stuff?

OK, the R.I. Wiring Svc price list can confuse. But just finding a source for the colored tracer wire eases the pricing hassle, yes?

I have a lo/hi temp Weller gun that has served me well for many years.

That said, I recently bought a small butane soldering torch at Lowe's that is sweet. Adjustable flame, lightweight torch body, refillable and economical enough to add to your tool box.

I also made up a couple heat sink clamps and then purchased a "third hand" thingy from Harbor Freight. Makes soldering an almost pleasurable event.

Monte

[Patrick_Krivacka]

Have I said how much this forum rocks!? Monte, your the best. well, along with everyone else! I'm going to look into getting some of that wire, once I figure out what I need. How bout a group buy?

[Bob_Roller]

That's a great source to find for replacing the wiring on our bikes .

Amazes me sometimes the sources for parts  that come to the light of day here on this forum .

The crimp on terminal ends are still available from BMW, if you need to replace them as well .

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=0364&mospid=47851&hg=61&fg=10

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I also made up a couple heat sink clamps and then purchased a "third hand" thingy from Harbor Freight. Makes soldering an almost pleasurable event.

Post up a pix of that thingy if you get a chance.  Not having a third hand (or prehensile tail) to hold the two wires I'm trying to solder on a bike or car is always aggravating.  I can see where that would be splendid.  I have a hi/lo Weller that's about 30+years old and it still works well.  What type/blend solder do you use?

[montmil]

Got my "Third Hand Clamp" at HF for $5.99. Prior to this, I jury-rigged clothes pins and popsicle sticks to do the same thing. What's cool about the real deal is the heavy weight base. No wobbles.

http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3082594&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-NULL-_-3082594&mr:trackingCode=1F711735-DB81-DE11-8C0A-000423C27502&mr:referralID=NA

I usually use a 60/40 rosin core solder. For electronic, motorcycles and cars, an 0.05" diameter solder works well for me. Plumbing solder is a whole different breed of cat. Don't ever use acid core solder unless you're a tinsmith.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Went by my local Harbor Freight this morning and picked up one of the 3rd hand devices.  They have one without the little coil springy thing for $2.99.  I tried it out when soldering a broken wire on the GS and as Lucky Lou would say, it worked a treat.  Thanks again for the suggestion Monte.

[montmil]

Went by my local Harbor Freight this morning and picked up one of the 3rd hand devices.  They have one without the little coil springy thing for $2.99.  I tried it out when soldering a broken wire on the GS and as Lucky Lou would say, it worked a treat.  Thanks again for the suggestion Monte.

That's the one I also bought. At $2.99USD, even if it gets you through only one wiring harness rehab and then fails... go buy another. I passed on the $5.99 model that had a battery-powered work light. That's why I bought the LED clip-on for my mangy Perdido Key ball cap. Wife laughs at me... so what else is new?

Monte