Tapping into wires

[benDASHDASH]

I couldn't find an appropriate forum for this but here it goes:

To install my alarm I need to tap into serveral wires and splice a new wire onto it. I was thinking the best way would be to cut the existing wire, strip the ends, and somehow connect those two wires with the new wire. It would be nice if there was some sort of clip that I could squeeze with plyers. I just haven't found anything like that yet. I would solder but it makes a messy job and electrical tape looks tacky IMO. Any ideas?

[AndrewBird]

I would solder and use shrink wrap. That is the only good way to do it. Splicing into other wires is a pain in the ass because there really is no "right" way to do it. No matter what, it won't be perfect. Solder and shrink wrap is the best choice.

[Jordan]

Solder and shrink wrap is a waste of time.

Cut the wire you want to splice into.

Attach a butt connector to one end, and crimp tightly.

Put your tap wire, and the other end of the original wire into the other side of the butt connector. Crimp tightly.

There you have it.

[benDASHDASH]

I've tried cramming two wires into a butt connector, but they never fit unless I use a bigger connector. However with a bigger connector the other end tends to slip out. At least thats been my experience. Should I try a smaller or larger connetor?

[Jordan]

Sounds like you need a good crimping tool first off. Secondly you can always double up the single wire.

To double it up just cut off twice as much of the plastic on it that you need to, twist the wire, then fold the exposed wire over on itself.

Garbage:


Adequate:

[benDASHDASH]

Cool, thanks Jordan (and NitroRustlerDriver)

gotta love google image search :P

[Hubbert]

Why not just use this kind,
butt connectors can come apart if not done well .

[KenC]

^^^ Word. Wire-taps are the shit. Takes like two seconds. No cutting or anything.

You can get a box of ~10 from RadioShack for about $2-3.

[Jordan]

^^^ Word. Wire-taps are the shit. Takes like two seconds. No cutting or anything.

No, wire taps ARE shit, not THE shit.

Butt connectors will never come apart if you have a good crimper and use it properly.

[Kruzen]

^^^ Word. Wire-taps are the shit. Takes like two seconds. No cutting or anything.

No, wire taps ARE shit, not THE shit.

Butt connectors will never come apart if you have a good crimper and use it properly.

What don't you like about wire taps? Out of curiosity.

[AndrewBird]

I agree on the wire taps. This is why. The way they work is by shoving a tab of metal into the wires that you are tapping off of. This rarely contacts more then 25% of the wire that you are tapping. On top of that, they are plastic, they crack VERY easilly and the wires can easily slip out even if tightened down all the way.

I still stand behind soldering. But connectors do work (I do use them for radio hook-ups and smaller electrical), but they aren't water tight, and can fail a lot easier then a solder/shrinkwrap joint can. You can easilly pull apart a butt connector, regardless of how well it is cripmed, but you will tear the wire before you break a solder joint if soldered properly.

[AndrewBird]

Double post. Stupid Mozilla...

[mph]

Agreed. Wiretaps from a trip to Radioshack.

[erik325i]

I would solder and use shrink wrap. That is the only good way to do it. Splicing into other wires is a pain in the ass because there really is no "right" way to do it. No matter what, it won't be perfect. Solder and shrink wrap is the best choice.

I agree.

[NC325iC]

hell just heatshrink over the butt connectors and call it a day