{"id":30442,"date":"2024-12-15T13:37:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T21:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/?p=30442"},"modified":"2024-12-15T13:55:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T21:55:55","slug":"keep-wiring-neat-with-these-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.4x4training.com\/w\/keep-wiring-neat-with-these-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Wiring Neat With These Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

We four-wheelers customize our vehicles a lot! From tires and lift kits to bumpers, winches and auxiliary lighting. And that\u2019s just the exterior of the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Inside, we load up on assorted electrical and electronic gear (two-way radios, laptops, fridge\/freezers, and such). Extra wiring is required to supply all that equipment. Done right, the arrangement will provide sufficient power for today\u2019s needs \u2013 and accommodate future growth.<\/p>\n

Wiring the vehicle is a valuable DIY project<\/strong>
\nMany people turn to a professional installer. That\u2019s fine. But don\u2019t be intimidated by the project. Adding accessory wiring is a valuable learning experience. Plus, it allows the owner to customize the wiring and plan for the future.<\/p>\n

Important considerations when adding wiring include:<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2022 Protection from vibration and sharp edges
\n\u2022 Watertight connections when necessary
\n\u2022 Well-marked connections to prevent confusion
\n\u2022 Attractive arrangement that doesn\u2019t interfere with vehicle operations
\n\u2022 Capacity to handle additional electronics over time<\/p>\n

What follows are some tips to improve your wiring. All of the discussion relates to 12-volt power.<\/p>\n

Calculate power needs<\/strong>
\nBefore beginning, make sure you understand how much current the equipment will draw. The wiring must match that current level, measured in amperes (A), of the equipment you\u2019ll be installing.<\/p>\n

Using underrated (thin) wire may cause equipment to run poorly. Worst case, the wires heat up and cause a fire. Always use the proper size (gauge) of wire for the equipment being installed.<\/p>\n

Equipment runs on DC, so maintaining proper polarity (positive or negative) is crucial. Stranded 2-wire is generally offered in a red\/black combination, where red is for positive and black is the negative. Never use wire that isn\u2019t color-coded. It\u2019s too easy to mix-up polarity as you run the wire.<\/p>\n

Anderson Powerpole\u00ae connectors the preferred choice\"\"<\/strong>
\nAll wiring requires some sort of connector. Choose Anderson Powerpole\u00ae connectors for your work. These are the handiest to use, and take the guesswork out of wiring. The connectors are color-coded for polarity, so it\u2019s impossible to mix them up.<\/p>\n

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Want to daisy-chain a set of wires? No problem. The Powerpole connectors easily snap together. In addition, Anderson Powerpole connectors snap into a RIGrunner terminal block. More on the RIGrunner shortly.<\/p>\n

For extra convenience, buy the permanently bonded side-by-side version.<\/p>\n

SAE and MC4 connectors<\/strong>
\nYou may have heard of SAE connectors and MC4 connectors. SAE connectors are difficult to work with because the terminals are not polarity specific. It\u2019s too easy to mix up polarity while wiring a system. \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

MC4 connectors are best suited for wiring solar panels. They\u2019re watertight, which is important for outdoor installations. But they also are difficult to work with. MC4 connectors require the installer to determine the polarity of each connection, and make sure that matches the rest of the line.<\/p>\n

If you have MC4s, though, all is not lost. Purchase a prewired pigtail to convert an MC4 to an Anderson Powerpole.<\/p>\n

Terminal blocks act as power strips<\/strong>
\nMultiple pieces of equipment require multiple sources of power. In the home you use a power strip. The equivalent in a vehicle is a terminal block.<\/p>\n

Mountain Radio\u2019s RIGrunner terminal block is ideally suited to our needs. Compact yet sturdy, this unit can handle up to 40 amps of power and five devices. Each terminal is fused separately; fuses can be changed depending on the equipment to be powered. (Caution: Don\u2019t exceed 40 amps of total current draw.)\"\"<\/p>\n

The RIGrunner is ideal for radios and smaller electronics. For heavier needs (fridge\/freezer and anything with a motor) use a Blue Sea terminal block.<\/p>\n

In either case, wire the terminal block directly to the battery. Although the terminal blocks may contain fuses, for added protection, install a fuse to the battery as well.<\/p>\n

Get crimped the proper way<\/strong>
\nCrimping refers to attaching a small metal sleeve around the end of the wire. That sleeve end is then snapped into the accompanying connector. Crimping takes a little practice, but once you catch on, it\u2019s fairly easy.<\/p>\n

The TRIcrimp crimping tool is designed for Anderson Powerpole connectors. It crimps the metal sleeve onto the wire end and maintains the desired round shape.<\/p>\n

MC4 connectors require their own crimping tool, the CT-MC4. Though similar in design to the TRIcrimp, it is distinctively different.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"The key is to use the right tool. The wrong tool, say a pair of pliers, will smash the metal sleeve. The wire may attach to the connector, but the connection will be poor, and the device won\u2019t work well.<\/p>\n

Shrink wrap, then mark connections<\/strong>
\nFinally, shrink wrap and mark your connections. Heat shrink tubing helps protect against moisture (though it\u2019s not secure enough to use outdoors). I prefer marine heat shrink tubing because it\u2019s coated with glue on the inside. The glue melts as the tube shrinks, creating a tight seal. The tubing shrinks to 1\/3 its original diameter. Pick a diameter that will cover the connector.\"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

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Using a metallic-colored Sharpie pen, mark each connector with its purpose or termination. This will permit quick identification of each connector.<\/p>\n

Use step drill bit for precise depths<\/strong>
\nDo you cringe if you need to drill a hole in the vehicle? A standard drill bit will punch through and keep going. Only really quick reflexes stop the bit from going too deep. Even an inch or two beyond can mean damaging wiring or hoses behind.\"\"<\/p>\n

The solution is a step drill bit. The ridged design allows the user to choose depths from roughly \u00bc inch to a little over one inch. You can drill through the firewall or other surface confident that you can stop when you need to.<\/p>\n

Protect wires with wire wrap, grommets<\/strong>
\nSharp edges are found throughout a vehicle. Whether from newly drilled holes or a piece of equipment, that edge can wear down the vinyl coating over time. Split loom (also called wire wrap) protects wiring from sharp edges and hot surfaces. Split loom is available in a variety of sizes and lengths.<\/p>\n

For added protection, use rubber grommets whenever wire is fed through a newly drilled hole. Grommets are available in a variety of sizes.<\/p>\n

Where to get supplies<\/strong>
\nHaving the parts and tools on hand can make quick work of any wiring project. All the products mentioned in this article are available through Powerwerx (https:\/\/powerwerx.com\/). However, if you have a preferred retailer, take advantage of that. The key is to try your hand at wiring your vehicle for electronic gear. It\u2019s a good learning experience and something you can be proud of. And it helps extend your four-wheeling experience.<\/p>\n

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Did you miss the previous articles?<\/p>\n

2024<\/strong><\/p>\n