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12v power distribution?


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oldspark 
Gold - Posts: 4,913
Gold spacespace
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location: Australia
Posted: February 04, 2010 at 6:56 PM / IP Logged  
As I said, a screw terminal joiner or other joiner, or wrap & solder (as far as I know).
shafferny 
Copper - Posts: 240
Copper spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2008
Location: New York, United States
Posted: February 05, 2010 at 6:13 AM / IP Logged  

I like the screw terminal idea out of all of them. I see if I can find one. Thanks for the help.

oldspark 
Gold - Posts: 4,913
Gold spacespace
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location: Australia
Posted: February 05, 2010 at 7:43 AM / IP Logged  
Excellent choice!
Below are 2 common ones that I use.
The BP types are aka "Acorns" and are usually used in AC mains situations and hence have largish holes. I like their twin screw versions for redundancy.
I usually use them as a cable end termination or for joining cables into "one end", though they can also be used as a through-connector buy filing the plastic end off - if it exists. (It's hard plastic - it shatters if cut.)
12v power distribution? - Page 2 -- posted image.
(Thanks to Jaycar!)
The others are typical Terminal Strips that can be broken into singles etc and come in various sizes. Also often used in AC mains applications.
My last use was for my dual/aux battery installation where I used the biggest commonly available 60A rated terminal strip onto which I could mount a 50A circuit breaker.
I could also daisy-chain cable from one to another for individually terminated wires to the battery, or Anderson plugs, or other parallel connections (though this is usually done for the common negative aka ground connections).
You might daisy chain using wire or a paper clip segment etc for easy individual termination of wires, though be careful if too thin wires strands that break easily, or worse still, wiggle into the gaps next to the screws and pull out it your are lucky, else form a bad contact that overheats etc. IE - it's better to twist smaller wires to fill the terminal-strip's conductor hole for a good solid and tight termination.   
12v power distribution? - Page 2 -- posted image.
(Again, Thanks to Jaycar!)
I use a plug/socket version of the above terminal strips for my car speakers.
IE - under my seats, I use them as a quick-disconnect for the headrest-internal speakers, as well as being able to easily change phasing or impedance (ie, series or parallel as the rear speakers).
And unless rigidly mounted to something (ha! they are almost always floating!) I will usually run electrical tap around their plastic top & bottom to ensure no extrusions or hair or nose clips can short a screw terminal to something.
The wires themselves should only be bared for the terminal sleeve.
If the wire conductors are thin enough, I strip them full sleeve length so each and overlaps and has 2 screws. Otherwise it's only 1/2-sleeved bared and only gets one screw. (But I might fled the wire end for extra grip thickness.)
And if breaking of to whatever length, I will usually allow a couple as spare, and often leave an empty between +ve & ground sides.
And ALWAYS tighten the screws in the empty ones - those bricks escape that first chance they get!
[Question - what are the chances an escaping screw happens to wedge between 2 exposed conductors? ((Ans: IMO, the probability is 1; nothing less!)) ]
And with any screw terminal - as with hose clamps etc - check them now and again for loosening - whether shrunk rubber hoses, or conductors suffering plastic (LOL!) deformation, or screws simply backing off.
Geez, that's a long "congratulations" on an a excellent choice!
I was only going to add that maybe someone will yet suggest some beautiful looking connector....
shafferny 
Copper - Posts: 240
Copper spacespace
Joined: February 02, 2008
Location: New York, United States
Posted: February 06, 2010 at 5:02 PM / IP Logged  

Well.....don't be congratulating me on my choice just yet. lol  

When you said "screw terminal", I was thinking something like a screw terminal block, like one of those you stipes of screw you can attach wires too. I wasn't thinking what you have pictured there. I've never see those before.

This is excatly why I asked. I was wondering if there was something out there that I just didn't know aobut.

The screw terminal you have pictures look very simple in design, yet effective. Interesting.

jetblue 
Member - Posts: 17
Member spacespace
Joined: January 10, 2010
Location: Texas, United States
Posted: February 07, 2010 at 9:40 PM / IP Logged  

Shafferny, good news for you (I think).  I was looking for something similar as well and happened to find something at Lowes that should work for me and you as well.  I found them in the electrical supply aisle and they are called Push-In Connectors and they are made by Ideal Industries

12v power distribution? - Page 2 -- posted image.

I picked up a variety 10 pack that handles 12-18 gauge wire and has two each of 2, 3, 4 & 5 hole connectors.  I like that you can use a jewelers screwdriver to unsnap the plastic covers on these and help get the wires neatly seated (especially the smaller wires that tend to bend and crumple rather than push in nicely).  I plan on going through the extra step of adding solder inside the metal pieces that hold the wires to ensure a good connection.  Snap the plastic shell back on and you're good to go.  Their only downfall is that they don't have an attachment point to screw them into a spot under the dash or wherever you want them.  A good drop of epoxy or superglue ought to help out with that.

Good luck.

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