what size bullets?

[//no.comment]

hey, just wondering what size the bullet connectors used on a '68 saloon will be?
does anyone know?
thanks,

[mike.perry]

The blue ones!

[bmcecosse]

The 'bullet' connectors are soldered on to the wire ends - I have no idea what size they are - I source them from an old harness if I need them. Crimp connectors are a bodge and useless in the long run.

[Alec]

Hello NC,

Vehicle Wiring Products sell bullets of varying sizes, the external diameter is the same but the internal varies depending on the size of the conductor. Incidentally, the crimp bullets you can get also vary in size and the blue is too big for most cables in a car.

Alec

[mike.perry]

Blue connectors fit most things in my cars. I will agree with the comments on crimpers which is why I have bought a decent pair (I hope) which I have yet to try out.

[Alec]

Hello Mike,

blue coded crimps are sized for 2.5 sq mm cable, which is relatively large for most car cables. Try the red next time which is 1.5 sq mm. You can improve things by doubling the conductors, the idea being that the conductor is snug in the crimp before crimping.

Alec

[Leo]

Solder on bullet connectors are available on e-bay and make a much tidier job

[mogbob]

The yardstick for clasic car wiring is that you will need some 1mm solder/crimp bullets for the smaller wiring( 28 strands, eg. side and tail lights up to 16.5 amps )and 2mm solder/crimp bullets for the bigger wiring (41strandseg. headlights,windscreen wiper motor, up to 25 amps).
As Alec has mentioned the external size of the bullet is the same ( 4.7 mm ).
Bob

[bmcecosse]

Crimps are just not designed for the wet/vibrating environment under the bonnet - you don't see them on modern cars! They will be ok a for a while - and then the wiring either break away from the crimp - or rot!

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

"you don't see them on modern cars!"

Not having anything to do with modern cars, just how are the wires terminated?

There is crimping and crimping and is an excellent way of joining terminal to cable given the correct fittings and tools.

Alec

[mike.perry]

My soldering is worse than my crimping!

[polo2k]

- you don't see them on modern cars!

Erm... without stating the obvious how do you think the cable is terminated in the connectors they use?

Maybe the issue isnt the connection its self?
would an electrolytic substance on the mating surfaces? (is copperslip conductive?)
they do cripmed connectors with heat shrink over them to help keep out moisture
if its a connection that isnt going to be broken often why not heat shrink/tape wrap the connection to seal out moisture and reduce vibration.
is the cable properly supported either side of the crimps?
Are the crimps tight enough?
Have the strands been twisted?

its not as simple as some are naff. in the right application and applied correctly I think they do have a place.

In a previous life ;) I used to run a stereo almost daily at 140Db+, there was enough vibration to crack a PCB in the boot and blow out a zippo between the front seats. There were certain connectors that were crimped for convienience (all big power and signal connections were soldered). Never had a problem with any of them!
It wasn't big, or clever but at the time it was what I was aiming for! ;)

[bmcecosse]

Carry on - crimp away! Don't blame me when the car grinds to a halt on a dark wet night in the middle of a moor with no fone reception.......... Yes - i'm sure modern wiring harnesses are crimped together - under high quality control conditions - and then a moulded plug is sealed around which both supports the cable and seals out moisture. I did work on wiring harnesses to Military standards........

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

er, didn't you say in an earlier post that they don't use crimped connections?

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Not the daft connectors that were being discussed here! Yes - they use a multi plug type crimp DESIGNED for the job! Not the same thing!