the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

Posi-Tap Wire Taps, Opinions


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
bcw757 
Member - Posts: 17
Member spacespace
Joined: December 16, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 2:26 PM / IP Logged  

Ok, here's the deal, I have read a number of posts that are against tapping the factory wires, however in some cases it's a practical alternative to soldering, mainly when the unit will be uninstalled within a year's time.

In my case, I am currently driving a company truck, and within 2 years the truck will be traded for a newer model.  I currently have installed a stereo system using Posi-Lock's - Posi-Tap's.  These taps basically just pierce a needle through the hot wire, and let you tap another wire (or 2-3-4) using just one tap.  The taps are reusable, all you have to do is untighten, and then wrap the hole on the hot wire with tape, and the original hot wire still works like normal.

Has anyone used these taps for security/remote start systems?  I have not used them with the heavy gauge wire that is used on the remote start, however posi-taps have a heavy gauge version to use. 

If this is discussed in another topic, I apologize, I did a search and came up with nothing.

Thanks,

B

nugent 
Member - Posts: 9
Member spacespace
Joined: December 28, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 3:11 PM / IP Logged  
don't use them. especially on high amperage wires. they can cause all kinds of problems. or even fire.
jaurora 
Silver - Posts: 429
Silver spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: January 16, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 3:22 PM / IP Logged  

I agree,

Do to the high DC currents in the alarm systems, the T-Taps cannot hold up to that kind of current. That is why soldering is done.

Picture a water hose on full blast and at the end of the hose there is a straw. Pushing that much water through a straw is impossable. (In the alarms application) In the long run by this happening it will create heat by force of electrons. The heat will be so intense that it will eventually melt the taps, wire insulation ect and eventually catch on fire. Granted it takes longer to solder and unsolder connections, but you dont have to worry about driving down the road and the wires catching on fire. It gives you a sense of security.

MECP certified (If it really means anything)
Jeremy
kgerry 
Platinum - Posts: 3,455
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: February 07, 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 3:23 PM / IP Logged  
i never use them anymore... i did the first year or two we did starters and had comebacks for intermittent connections... for the last 10 years or so we've only soldered wires.....
Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
mxxmikexx 
Silver - Posts: 796
Silver spacespace
Joined: September 18, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 6:13 PM / IP Logged  
I CANT speak for posi-taps, however i have been using 3m t-taps for about 5 yrs. now and VERY RARELY ever have problems with them, is soldering better, of course. but when your doing 6-8 cars a day, t-taps are a welcome convienence.i guess it all comes down to personel prefrence.
floaterr 
Silver - Posts: 383
Silver spacespace
Joined: December 07, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 7:12 PM / IP Logged  
Their website is horrible. They go through all this show off wording but don't show the product in detail to let us decide for ourselves. You got an pictures of it showing what pierces the wire?
hayman 
Member - Posts: 41
Member spacespace
Joined: December 10, 2004
Location: Canada
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 7:21 PM / IP Logged  

Years back thats how we  installed them.  The autocommand starters from Designtech came with them in the box.  The prostarts didn't so we had to get them from parts etc.  Personally I never really  liked them in high current situtations as mentioned above. They came with the remote starter so I figured ok they must figure thier good enough. Plus it was faster and when on flate rate time is money!  For a low current conection in a tough spot they sure  are handy.  They  really suck on trailer wiring outside the car in the elements but thats another story.   We called them "scotch locks" could have been the brand.  There may be a better product out now a days. 

Some would be surprised at how hard cars heater  blower motors are on electrical connections.  It is a common problem on certain makes and models of cars.  Due to the fact they were simply not designed to take the high current over the years.  Switches, connections behind the switches at all kinds of hard to get a places fail!  

So when someone clamps on a scotch lock on  a 10 gauge accesory wire I sure could see problems developing over time.  Especaily if the cars electrical system was marginally built from the factory to begin with!

 It comes down to  a  Good -Better  or Best conection.  A good solder job then rapping it with tape when it's still  hot so it seals  nice  works pretty good.

swamprat323 
Gold - Posts: 1,335
Gold spacespace
Joined: September 22, 2002
Location: Florida, United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 7:23 PM / IP Logged  
With your stereo jsut use the metra harness or waht ever, you dotn have to tap into anything on those. AS with the alarm see if the company have one installed. But if you have to put on in, and goign to take it out and put it in another, and kept doign it. i would not solder, so all you have to do is un do the tape and un wrap the wire back up. If you wan tto use T-taps go a head. Its not goign to ahrm anything, but use only 3M. I recomde wraping the wire aroufn the wire though. Dont think anybody goign to steal a work truck, but with your wire harness form the alram i would not cut all up, and tape the harness all up. leave the wires at the lengths they are, just wrap them up and tie them. When you go to take it out, and put it in another one, you dotn have to worrie about not having a mess of wires. Unless you buy a new set.
What is a posi tap, is thsi the same as a T-tap or some eles.
secureauto 
Copper - Posts: 197
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 02, 2003
Location: California, United States
Posted: December 28, 2004 at 10:50 PM / IP Logged  
I'd agree with the other techs soldering is always the best connection. Since it's going to be temporary, 3M T-taps should be O.K., I've been using them for a few years now. If you use them right they'll save you a lot of time. Posi-Tap Wire Taps, Opinions -- posted image.
ASE Certified
meltingplastic 
Copper - Posts: 225
Copper spacespace
Joined: November 08, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: December 29, 2004 at 9:20 AM / IP Logged  
heres a tip...   strip the wires back and then take a pick tool and open up the center of the wire...   strip off enough wire on the wnd of the remote start wires to feed it through that new hole you just made and then wrap it around the bare wire...   with that siad.. run the wire next to the wire u tapped into and ziptie that to the factory wire.. tape it up... if the wire gets pulled.. the ziptie will keep the pressure off the joint and also since you wrapped around the wire and also went through the middle.. its a little harder to pull off and also makes a nice connection..   other than that.. SOLDER IT!
Driving a Bagged, Caddied 02 s10
Page of 2

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Thursday, October 31, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer