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Best plug / connector for dash
bi22le - 16/6/18 at 06:40 PM

I am rewiring the Striker and fitting a Digidash2 Lite.

Obviously the digidash has plugs, and I will keep them. I want 1 good quality plug for all of the light switchs and everything elae. If I can't then I'll probably have another for ignition stuff unless advise suggests I can run everything through one plug.

So, what are the tidy builders using? It's probably going to need about 12 pins or so. I also don't want to spend £50 on crimp tools for a £10 plug so consider this in your responses.

Cheers.


timB - 16/6/18 at 06:47 PM

I used a 24 pin ATX extension cable. I cut the extension in the middle, cut my loom in the middle and then soldered it in. That's 48 individual soldered joints, which I then had to individually heat shrink.


02GF74 - 16/6/18 at 08:56 PM

Same here, used PC plug. It sits behind dash under the scuttle so does not need to be waterproof.


For higher current items, you can use two or more connections, e.g. 0v or 12v line.


bi22le - 16/6/18 at 10:41 PM

I have two of these at the moment and they are awful. Big and bulky. I also had to cable tie the two parts together as they were causing intermittent faults. If this is what people are using, then fine, but I was hoping for an alternative.


rodgling - 16/6/18 at 11:24 PM

This looks suitable, 14-way Ecoseal connector can be had for < £10? https://polevolt.co.uk/acatalog/Econoseal_Connectors-p1.html


Dave Bailey - 17/6/18 at 06:48 AM

Yep I second Ecoseal... automotive grade connectors with water ingress seals. I used them all over my build... top quality...

Dave B


bi22le - 17/6/18 at 10:18 AM

This looks like the kind of stuff.

Dave or Rodgling - Do you know if I can usea normal non insulated crimp tool?


Badger_McLetcher - 17/6/18 at 10:30 AM

I've used econoseal stuff a fair bit in my car - a pair of pliers will get you most of the way - I usually give each pin a couple of extra crimps using side cutters. You just have to be careful not to be overzealous and cut them apart
Picture

[Edited on 17/6/18 by Badger_McLetcher]


bonzoronnie - 17/6/18 at 11:53 AM

I too use the ecoseal connectors.

Have ratchet crimps for uninstalled terminals.

Also keep a small pair of crimping pliers in my electrical box.
They work very well & will use them more often than not.

Same as ebay item: 390732125380
Not cheap, cheap but they are a worthwhile investment.


rodgling - 17/6/18 at 01:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Badger_McLetcher
I've used econoseal stuff a fair bit in my car - a pair of pliers will get you most of the way - I usually give each pin a couple of extra crimps using side cutters. You just have to be careful not to be overzealous and cut them apart
Picture

[Edited on 17/6/18 by Badger_McLetcher]


Totally disagree, when I first built my car I used pliers and the crimps did not last well. Some came apart, some just allowed a bit of moisture to creep in because they weren't properly snug and then failed due to corrosion.

I'd buy a proper tool - even the basic non-ratchet type will give a much better result than pliers.