Miscellaneous Using Scotchlok instead of splicing when connecting to existing wires in a car.

I have to say that i have had more nightmares with peoples "BODGED" wiring using Scotchlok's than anything else you could imagine. There are much better alternatives than those very poorly engineered plastic stab clamps. Obviously soldering is the preferred method of electrical surgery,but there is a company called WAGGO that make a very good spring clamp wiring connector that is vastly superior to any Scotchloc.

i googled Waggo and got Designer Dog Products

dave said:

i googled Waggo and got Designer Dog Products

Click to expand...

I thought he was a famous cyclist.

Agree with Rouge trader above.

These things will inevitably cut through some of the wire strands when installing them, thus reducing the overall current carrying capacity of the cable. That can cause localised overheating of the cable and cause the red, blue or yellow Scotchlok insulation to melt.
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Never had a problem myself, but then I know there is a time and a place for them, and that they're colour coded for different wiring gauges etc.

Swear by them myself.

i think a lot of the problems with them are caused by people not pressing the metal in far enough with pliers, they just close them with finger n thumb leaving wires a bit loose and able to arc a bit.

Yes my fault it's WAGO,they make various types and styles of internal sprung clamps and are the preferred choice for electricians be they auto,domestic,or industrial. I have been using them for a while now and they are very well made and engineered. They are under constant spring pressure so are maintenance free and provide a proper circuit without the hit and miss of a stab clamp.

they sound expencive?

Not in real terms,just imagine you have your pride and joy with the dash flashing like a Christmas tree or key components that need to work when you need them like windscreen wipers only to find that a "MASTER AUTOLEC" has repaired your car with a stab clamp that has now decided to fail ( I'm not so much just blaming the clamp as the person with the ill conceived idea to use them) The very best way to get a positive outcome on any auto electrical wire work is to solder it. There are times when for what ever reason that can't easily be accomplished and the next best thing is a WAGO clamp. One of the best earners a garage has is with tracing electrical gremlins in a car,so a few WAGO clamps are a lot better than a days labour charge at a garage.