Amp Wiring Connectors?

[Bones526]

Hey, i got this knukonceptz amp wiring kit, and it's pretty self explanatory what you do with it, so they didn't include instructions, but i'm wondering about these 4guage ring and spade terminals for the battery and ground connections. Are they crimp-on or what? cuz if they are i'm gonna need a much bigger crimp tool, and if they aren't then i hope it's easy to connect them b/c i don't want to solder.

they look like crimp on b/c they have the round metal part inside a rubber sleeve and there is a part of the metal that is cut so you can crimp it and whatever.
but i dunno, lemme know what you think.

 

[got wake?]

take the colored sleeve off the terminal and slide it onto the wire before you strip it. you might need to put some water on it to get it to slide on better. in a pinch spit works once that's on, strip the wire. i just use a sharp knife, like a razor blade, to strip it. put the metal terminal over the stripped wire and get ready to crimp it. to crimp it i use a set of vise grips. when you take the colored sleeve off the metal terminal you should see a split in the metal on the top side. use the vise grips to press one side down under the other side. once it's under, you'll have to go back and forth between the sides slowly crimping it, to make sure it's tight and secured. if you crimp it tight enough, and one tab is under the other, it'll make a tight hold that is totally secure. if i was at home i'd post up some pics of how to do it, but unfortunately i won't be home till next weekend i use this method for everything over 8 guage, including the 1/0 terminals i do

 

[Bones526]

sounds good.

is it possible to crimp it using an oversized crimp tool though? do they even make those?

 

[servoeyes]

yep...impact crimpers...approx. 200$ I believe....

 

[parks853]

yep...impact crimpers...approx. 200$ I believe....

www.partsexpress.com sells a hammer crimper. you jsut put the terminal in there and smack it with a BFH. but it is even like 40 bucks. I think about everyone just finds a way similar to got wakes method.

 

[Bones526]

holy crap, i wasn't even thinking of paying more than 2 dollars for it.

i'll be using the vise grips technique (thanks got wake)

thanks for your help guys!

 

[parks853]

holy crap, i wasn't even thinking of paying more than 2 dollars for it.

i'll be using the vise grips technique (thanks got wake)

thanks for your help guys!

yup that is why everyone else still uses the pliers, vise grips method.

if anyone reads this and knows of a cheaper crimper please let us know.

 

[paulstrovsky]

Well, the one time I did this I just used a BFH to do the crimping... I asked the guy at Tweeter if there was a better way, and he recommended putting a little bit of solder inside the terminal thingie then putting the wire in. I know you said you didn't want to solder, but this sounds like a way to do it that doesn't require any technique whatsoever, which is why it appeals to me...

 

[Poseur]

hmm, I thinkI'd trust crimping tight a bit more than just "gluing" it together with solder. Besides, HAve you ever trield to Solder with wire that size? everything gets REALLY damnhot if you're doing it right, and melting it all together not just dripping molten solder into the cracks. Butyea, thatmuch metal being THAT hot is just plain scary. Hooray for set-screw style connectors!