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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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LED wiring connections

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/08/2012 : 17:15:02

Is LED wiring 22 AWG or smaller? Those of you who have installed LED cabin lights, did you use standard 22AWG butt connectors or did you have to be a bit inventive in making connections?

Gerry Livingston, Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2012 : 17:37:51

It depends on the fixture. I've been using the 22-18 AWG fittings and a good quality crimper, plus testing my crimps afterwords by tugging on the wires.

On one of my lights the crimp was going to be exposed to the cabin (nothing wrong with that, it's just ugly) so I soldered the connection instead and finished it with white heat shrink tubing to match the wire cables.

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 04:17:54

Thanks Alex...My HarborFreight double rachet crimpers ($13) will not even touch the smaller connectors despite their advertised working range. Just trying to decide how to proceed.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 06:19:29

I'm using these crimpers:
http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-18920-Ratcheting-Terminal/dp/B0002STTTI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344518287&sr=8-4&keywords=ratchet+crimper

$75 isn't cheap, but they work very nicely and include a wide variety of dies. I don't use all of those on my boat, but between the boat, car, and house I do use most of them.

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2012 : 03:37:21

as (almost) always....you get what you pay for...time to get some decent crimpers

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2012 : 06:07:41

You have a few options:
1. Twist and crimp - Whatever boat wiring you're connecting the fixture to (for example 16GA stranded), take the 22GA and the 16GA side by side, separate the strands, then twist them both together intertwining the strands.
Push the twist into one side of the crimp connector and crimp it as if it were 16 or 14GA. Leave the other end of the connector open, crimp it or cut it off. Place some shrink tubing over the exposed end.

2. Pigtail - You can do (sort of) what Alex did and solder on a short piece (3-4") of thicker wire (16GA) to the 22GA, while placing a piece of shrink tubing over the solder joint, then you're crimping the 16GA ends into the circuit.

3. Radio shack or equivalent sells screw terminal strips. You can get a 2 position and just screw the wires into the strip.

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Russelladams
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 02:15:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by glivs
 Is LED wiring 22 AWG or smaller? Those of you who have installed [url=http://www.niceledlights.com]led lighting[/url] cabin lights, did you use standard 22AWG butt connectors or did you have to be a bit inventive in making connections?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You need to bit inventive in making connections. Search some good diagrams and apply them

Edited by - Russelladams on 12/22/2012 00:32:12

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 04:53:44

I had to twist the wires together and leave the 22 longer, and then bend it back. Then I'd have to take small pliers and close the circle of wire that I'd bent back to get it into the connector.

Pain in the butt but that became my SOP. Then crimp with a good crimper.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 05:08:58

I have wondered if it is acceptable to fold the strands back along the insulation, so that the insulation becomes a core, then crimp. ??

Paul

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 18:55:13

I would not do that - the "elasticity" of the insulation would not allow the metal of the crimp connector to properly "bite" the wire. Instead you can add a piece of solid #18 wire into the splice. That should provide your splice with enough body for the connection.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2012 : 04:51:25

Good point Bruce!

Paul

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.