I am looking at making my own wiring harness and was wondering if I should buy the insulated connectors or the non insulated connectors like factory. I will be putting heat shrink tube over either type no matter what.

I notice that the pliers required for insulated or non insulated are different and I have a few of the cheap insulated type pliers already, but dont mind buying the other style.

Which is the better finish/connector.

Thanks, Kev.

depends on which crimper you use.
the insulated ones with the proper ratcheting crimper are excellent. they are what we use at work and also what i have on my car.

As long as the wires look like a birds nest when you finish.
here some that I have done.
give me a call if you need a hand.

pliers http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/tools 







http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/tools 

Ian, that looks like factory wiring so when can you come down and fix mine

Barls, I know you need the right crimper for the particular terminal. Just the difference in the way they crimp - the cheap insulated pliers I have basically just flatten the circle shape of terminal out but I thought the other type pushed down the centre of the circle and may be a stronger or better style of crimp.

Kev

i cant comment on the non insulated as its been a bloody long time since i used them. i know that all mil spec gear is ether high precision soldered or insulated crimped using one of these
http://www.narva.com.au/products/detail/959/noheaders/1/?KeepThis=true&TB...
i wouldnt use anything else. the cheap crimpers are just that they destroy the terminal when they crimp.
btw they are cheaper at bunnings, thats where i bought mine.

I'd go non insulated. I think it will look neater.

As far a crimping and security, if you use the right and quality tools they both will be fine.
One advantage on the non insulated is that you can also solder them for a "never have a problem finish".

Trust me I'm an auto electrician

Kev,

I would go with insulated lugs it reduces the risk of short circuits with adjacent terminals. In our industry railway signalling we wouldn't dream of using uninsulated crimp lugs however it is imperative you use the correct correct crimping tool

Thanks for the replies.

Paul, as I mentioned I am still going to use shrink tube over the connectors to avoid any accident shorts.

Zocstar, the soldering was also what I was thinking about doing with the non insulated for extra assurance.

Lee, what was wrong with the terminals you used that they come apart - were they cheap ones?

Cheers, Kev

Have a look at the catalogue on this website. I go there to buy all my non insulated terminals, and put single blocks or more on them.

Crimped and soldered. OEM style terminals only.

http://jaydeeautocables.com.au/ 

Dont crimp

Use un insulated terminals and heat shrink. Lee, you must be doing something wrong, I solder about 300 - 400 terminals a week and never have an issue. You only crimp if its a last resort, a crimp connection offers more resistance and doesnt have the longetivity.