Tapping Wires

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Sweekster

Silver - Posts: 481

Joined: May 13, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: March 24, 2004 at 11:25 AM / IP Logged

Hey guys,

I've been reading older posts and I've seen some debates about using T taps as opposed soldering. I recently added added power door locks to my sister's car and I used these type of taps instead of T taps because i found that T Taps move around and will lose the connection. I know soldering is the best way to go about making solid connections but would anyone agree that if the are just going to be tapped, that i would be better to use the type I mentioned than to use those t taps?

Duane...

If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel. Tapping Wires -- posted image.

Velocity Motors

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Joined: March 08, 2002

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Posted: March 24, 2004 at 11:45 AM / IP Logged

Are you crazy !! Your asking a loaded question here.......... go hide now !!! NOW !!! DO IT !! NOW .... DO IT

Honestly, though it's a matter of preference for this type of connection. You can use whatever means of connection that you feel comfortable with. Solder and taping has been and is one of the most popular and followed ways of making connections, but is not the only way. If you feel that the T-Tap way of connecting the wires is good enough for your installation, then who are we to say otherwise........... it's your opinion and you can't be wrong when it comes to your opinion.

Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

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kgerry

Platinum - Posts: 3,455

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: February 07, 2004

Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Posted: March 24, 2004 at 1:41 PM / IP Logged

My shop adage is..... There are 2 ways to do everything... and 1 of them is... PROPERLY !!

spend the extra 5 minutes and do it properly

Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

Teamrf

Gold - Posts: 1,031

Joined: January 13, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: March 24, 2004 at 9:39 PM / IP Logged

I agree with Kerry...I'm sick of hacks in the shop. There is a difference in work with the guy that solders and the oen that uses T-Taps.

~The Rookie~

Rookie of the year that is...

Don't let the smoke out of your equiptment..it doesn't go back in.

sroth140

Silver - Posts: 513

Joined: August 27, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: March 24, 2004 at 10:30 PM / IP Logged

that connector is sh*t. i would get my ass kicked by the others in my bay if i did anything but solder and tape. and then i wouldnt be able to work there anymore.

MECP certified installer

FullForce

Copper - Posts: 103

Joined: April 09, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 9:02 PM / IP Logged

i call those pigtails, dont know why .... i do not use them and never have

now t taps work good if they are put on right . when doing thick wires you really have to mash them with some pliers real hard to make sure the clip locks and hope it doesnt pop back open and leave the exposed metal

auex

Platinum - Posts: 5,041

Joined: December 23, 2002

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: March 25, 2004 at 11:34 PM / IP Logged

Personally I don't have a problem with t-taps for some connections, although everything I do is solder/tape. IMO those are worse then t-taps. And Jeff is right, this is a loaded question based on personal preference.

Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

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derek123

Copper - Posts: 163

Joined: October 09, 2003

Location: Canada

Posted: March 26, 2004 at 11:23 AM / IP Logged

We call them scotch locks ( and I have no idea why).

they mangle the wire you're tapping into if you're not careful.

Last shop I worked at had a "wall of shame". When we would remove a old system that was installed with those ( or just bad install in general), we would hang it on the wall. Great tool for the salesmen, when customers would balk at the install prices. take them over to the wall.... see this... this how your system is NOT going to be installed. hehe.

the only time I think I would use one of those is if I didn't have to warrenty the install, and even then.... I'm not so sure.

jimmeezgolfvr6

Silver - Posts: 258

Joined: March 10, 2002

Location: Canada

Posted: March 26, 2004 at 6:37 PM / IP Logged

personally, i find that t-taps are sturdier, more reliable, and much less clumsy to use than those "scotch locks" (as derek123 calls them). the others are right though....there's no substitute for proper soldering. i use mixed methods of t-tapping, soldering, and opening up the insulation and poking a hole through the wire. it all depends on how much accessability to the wire there is and time available.

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Teken

Gold - Posts: 1,492

Joined: August 04, 2002

Location: Aruba

Posted: March 26, 2004 at 7:11 PM / IP Logged

The only time I see this as being even remotely acceptable is when you are simply doing a temporary install.

ie. Leased vehicle, or something that will be removed later in the near future.

The biggest problem I have seen with regards to the use of these devices is the lack of common sense.

Installers will simply try to crimp on a smaller terminal to a much larger guage wire, and it will simply pierce only a few wires within the cable.

Which then leads to *open* connections or burning of the surrounding wires which fuse within the casing.

Its all about common sense, or in the real world, the lack of . . .

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

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Tapping Wires

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