good electrical connectors for driving lights?

Mine have the 4 pin trailer plug setup.

For the non rally rabbit i used the 4 pin set up for extra lights. Same for the Taco, 4 pin for extra lights for them red eye runs.

Don't use trailer plugs. They are all variable on their actuall ability to connect and pull apart. I fried a pair of Hella HD ballasts because I used a trailer plug and it wasn't 100% seated and it arc'd between the connections.

I use Weatherpack connectors. The housings/plugs are all pretty cheap, you need a special crimp tool but I got a non-fancy one for $15 through ebay.

I purchased a spare end with the fill plug holes so I can actually seal the connector when I don't have the lights installed as well. Ez-pz to put on and take off, you know it seals when they click. Waterproof and various gage wire can be used.



https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=5708
https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=5713

left the on-car portion uncovered. honestly never even crossed my mind to cover it. it poked out from just behind the passenger bumper mounted light. the one exposed pin was ground. lights were magnet mounted hood lights.








never had an issue with shorting out. had to clean it a couple times or more.

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BillyElliot
Don't use trailer plugs. They are all variable on their actuall ability to connect and pull apart. I fried a pair of Hella HD ballasts because I used a trailer plug and it wasn't 100% seated and it arc'd between the connections.

I use Weatherpack connectors. The housings/plugs are all pretty cheap, you need a special crimp tool but I got a non-fancy one for $15 through ebay.

I purchased a spare end with the fill plug holes so I can actually seal the connector when I don't have the lights installed as well. Ez-pz to put on and take off, you know it seals when they click. Waterproof and various gage wire can be used.



https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=5708
https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=5713

I've used those on countless automotive projects at this point. They work well and are pretty easy to work with. Just make sure you buy inserts big enough for the amperage that you plan on using (12 ga is the biggest and is only rated for 20a).

I'd also seal up an extra plug for the other side and tie it to the power cord to use as a plug for when its not in use.

www.waytekwire.com and www.delcity.net tend to be good places to find those connectors cheap.

For higher current lights these might be a better idea (if you like the weatherpack setup)
http://whiteproducts.com/sealed480.shtml

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This isn't floor mat anarchy

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2011 02:17PM by alosix.

I'll ask Dan the paint man for some of those weather proof connectors that Muni uses.
How many and what type [pin count] do you need?

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1971 145S - 1972 1800ES - 1982 245 GLT

I need four pins total, could be one or two plugs. the wires are 10 Ga. but that is overkill. Tell Danny I still want piccies of his track bike, and thanks for the killer seats Ken.

You might go to West Marine and check out the MinnKota type electrical connectors and plugs. A bit more money but they are way more corrosion resistant and have larger wire than the little trailer connectors.

Hey Al, a few of us are getting together this Tues in SF if u are interested.

Sent from my phone.

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Jon Burke - KI6LSW
Blog: http://psgrallywrx.blogspot.com/

I use a heavy-duty gage extension cable. Seriously. Wired to the relays, and then on to the battery. Female plug stays ziptied to the hood. Male end hooked up to the pod lights.

Between events, just gloop a bunch of di-electric grease in the female plug.

Don't overthink it.

Just don't be a smartass and try to plug your podlights into the wall socket

Bringing this back...

Going to replace the connectors on the harness I got with my lights since they're as cheap as they come. Going to use Weather Pack connectors but don't want to spend $100 on a crimper I'll use once.

This $30 Delphi baby look okay?



http://www.amazon.com/GM-Delphi-Weatherpack-Crimper-Tool/dp/B005K006QS/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1332261753&sr=8-3-spell

I'm not opposed to going even cheaper if there's something out there that works okay.

Thanks!

The weather pack connectors are great, you can get them and the parts at any NAPA. They may have a cheaper crimp tool too.

Thanks! I didna even think to check locally, I'll see if NAPA near my house has something.

I used that tool. Works fine. The expensive ones do both crimps at once where that one you need to crimp it twice. Not a big deal for small jobs, if you were on an assembly line the more expensive tool would be good to cut labor times in half.

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BillyElliot
I used that tool. Works fine. The expensive ones do both crimps at once where that one you need to crimp it twice. Not a big deal for small jobs, if you were on an assembly line the more expensive tool would be good to cut labor times in half.

x2.. I've done 3 vehicles worth of full weatherpacking now, with a fairly normal crimper. I usually solder the connections as well just to be sure.

By now.. I think I kinda want that $100 version, but I am a tool slut.

Jason

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This isn't floor mat anarchy