Is this the right tool

[luciusad2004]

Hey guys, I'm installing an amp in my car and i ordered a kit w/ all the wires to wire everything up. I was looking at the terminals and i wasn't sure if i had the right tools to crimp them on to the wires.

I have a number of ring and spade terminals that seem similar to this
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/luciusad2004/Terminal.jpg


Is this the right tool to crimp those to my wires?
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/luciusad2004/crimpTool.jpg

I have one of those and i did a test w/ some extra connectors on to some speaker wire. It seems mostly solid but i wanted to make sure i was doing it right.

I just sorta squished the round end down flat on to the bare wire using the crimp tool above.

Is that right?

I know, this is a really stupid question.

Thanks guys

[nevermind1534]

That's what I use to crimp my butt connectors. I think you've got the right thing.

[markkleb]

while it may work its not the ideal tool to use

This one is better but there are better ones still.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93977

I like this style best
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00982563000P?mv=rr
There is a rounded tip that makes more pressure on the connection, but it needs to be in the underside part of the solderless connection (not the top part where the split is)

[nevermind1534]

Make sure you use the right size thing to crimp them.

[luciusad2004]

ah, I'll have to take a trip down to harbor freight and see if they have one of those in stock then. Maybe next pay check, Moneys tight.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Edit: Or go up to sears and get the second one you posted, Its not much more than the first and it looks like it has other functions like wire stripping.

[Omega]

http://images.shopping.msn.com/img/4195/4055/0/6359288.gif

12lb sledgehammer.

Will crimp ANYTHING.

:bunny:

[markkleb]

12lb sledgehammer.
Will crimp ANYTHING.
:bunny:

LOL just keep ur toes/fingers clear

And luciusad2004, I like the sears one better too.
(the screw cutter is kind of handy)

[Killa_Ape]

The tool you have will do a fine job. I do crimps all the time and have a crimp tool b/c size matters for me but you can just use those stripper ones they've worked in a bind. I would use a proper crimp tool if it was a professional job or where if it doesn't make a perfect connection it doesn't work properly but for an amp the tool you have will work fine you don't need a specific tool for your own car stereo.

[mittelmeier]

The tool you posted will work fine for crimping that on a car. If the connector doesn't have a cover over it you could always solder it after you crimp it just to make sure. I've used a tool like that one for a ton of wiring on everything and as long as you have the right size connector for the wire you should be fine.

[Drum Thumper]

I've crimped similar connectors with a Leatherman in the past. I don't recommend it, but it works in a pinch.

[Omega]

I've crimped similar connectors with a Leatherman in the past. I don't recommend it, but it works in a pinch.

in all actuality, this is how I do damn near all of my connections (IF I COULD FIND MY LEATHERMAN, GODDAMN.). It works, but get ready for hand pain... Leathermans aren't known for their comfort. Lots of hard edges. =/

Gets the job done, though.

[b4i7]

...use to crimp my butt...

i normally just stand to get rid of my crimps :P

[AMD Killa]

lol. Even a small hammer should crimp those terminals.

[luciusad2004]

Tried to use my crimper only to find out that radio shack sells really crappy tools. This thing would not strip the wires if my life depended on it. I got some stuff crimped fine w/ it but eventually gave up in frustration. I went and got the craftsman at sears, gonna try it out now. Only problem is i couldn't find anything for 8 gauge wire.

I'll let you guys know how it works out.

Edit: The craftsman strips w/ ease. It's like magic after using the radiosack tool. The one from the Shack just stretches out the wire. I'm so glad i got this, from now on i think im gonna consult TBCS before buying tools.

[Spawn-Inc]

i used channel locks and overlapped the 2 parts that fold. once that was done i solded all connections for best results. since i was using 4 AWG wire i had to use a blow torch to solder :)

FYI i put the flux on before i crimped.

what you running btw?

[markkleb]

Tried to use my crimper only to find out that radio shack sells really crappy tools. This thing would not strip the wires if my life depended on it. I got some stuff crimped fine w/ it but eventually gave up in frustration. I went and got the craftsman at sears, gonna try it out now. Only problem is i couldn't find anything for 8 gauge wire.

I'll let you guys know how it works out.

Edit: The craftsman strips w/ ease. It's like magic after using the radiosack tool. The one from the Shack just stretches out the wire. I'm so glad i got this, from now on i think im gonna consult TBCS before buying tools.

Good job. :up:

i used channel locks and overlapped the 2 parts that fold. once that was done i solded all connections for best results. since i was using 4 AWG wire i had to use a blow torch to solder :)
FYI i put the flux on before i crimped.
what you running btw?
Thats the BEST way, I do that with my 4ga wiring.

[luciusad2004]

i used channel locks and overlapped the 2 parts that fold. once that was done i solded all connections for best results. since i was using 4 AWG wire i had to use a blow torch to solder :)

FYI i put the flux on before i crimped.

what you running btw?

You lost me : / lol. I'm a car audio newb. Im just running a hand-me-down 600 watt kenwood amp and 2 hand-me-down 12 inch subs. The box is just a basic box, i forget what they are called.

If you give me a min i can get a link to my amp on crutchfield. I'm not sure what the make of my subs are off hand as they are up my parents place. I'm sure none of it's fancy though.

I'm no audiophile so most of my gear is just whatever i can dig up.

Amp:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KAC729S/Kenwood-KAC-729S.html?search=KAC729S&tp=14
Hand me down i had in my old car.

Head Unit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113MP232/Kenwood-KDC-MP232.html?tp=5684&tab=detailed_info
Purchased from my buddy on the cheap to replace my Tape Deck

Rear Speakers
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1682/Kenwood-KFC-1682ie.html?tp=105
Purchased them for my old car to replace my blown speakers

It's just a coincidence that all that stuff is Kenwood, I'm not a fanboi or anything, its just what i got my hands on.

Next on my list is some speakers for the front.
Hoping to get something a lil nicer than what i have in the back. Then i want to get a new sub box and just run a single sub so that i can save a little bit of trunk space and reduce the weight i'm carrying around.


Edit: I see what you mean by using channel locks now.

[Spawn-Inc]

lol oh man my spelling/grammer sucks so much.

what i do is the following
1. strip the wire
2. dip the wires in flux paste
3. crimp the wire with channel locks (http://zo-d.com/stuff/images/channel-lock-pliers-s.jpg) so that the 2 parts that fold over on each other.
4. solder the connector once its crimped.

here is a picture of what i mean

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1177/crimprn3.jpg

[luciusad2004]

I like your crimp. Looks much more solid than most of my crimps.

Edit: How do you get the edges rounded like that in the standard crimp? If mind ended up flat does that mean i used the tool backwards? It felt pretty tight when i gave it a pull test. I suppose that's what counts.

Also edited my last post w/ the equipment i have so far.

[Spawn-Inc]

i basically just do it the way you do, if it doesn't pull out then its good to go.

[nevermind1534]

i normally just stand to get rid of my crimps :P

not quite what I meant

[Spawn-Inc]

not quite what I meant

but much more comical :)

[luciusad2004]

Since the thread is here i guess it doesn't hurt to ask. I wasn't getting much help w/ this little tidbit on the car forums i go to.

Anybody have any advice on mounting my fuse holder in the engine bay? I know it has to be no more than 1 foot away from my battery preferably as short a distance i can get it.

Should i just screw it in to any bare piece of metal i can find on the frame? My amp install kit came w/ some screws but they look like regular screws not the self tapping kind w/ the flat edges on the end. I wasn't really sure what to do to stick it to my engine bay.

My fuse holder looks like this
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k314/luciusad2004/FuseHolder.png

Thanks for any advice

[Spawn-Inc]

i never screwed mine down. i have it about 1-1.5 feet away from the batt with no problems. i just stuck it under a sheet of metal that was attached to my car. i will get a pic before the day ends.

[Bopher]

I had one of those in my ZX2 for the amp. I never got around to mounting it, I just set it into a spot close to the windshield where the hood covered when it was closed. I was looking at mounting mine close to the battery on the frame of the radiator. The metal is thin and you shouldn't hit anything electrical.

[Spawn-Inc]

the reason i never screwed it down was rust, leaving the screw in there will rust the area over time and the sheet metal will start to rust as well. plus its not like it's going to be moving all over the place.

here are some pics.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1900/img0087su3.jpg
oops, it looks like 2-3 feet, ohwell works fine for me. its a 80amp fuse and my amp has 3x 30 amp fuses to act as a 90 amp so its fine.
you can see that the wire is tucked under the flap of the fender.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/626/img0089lq6.jpg
no more trunk space for me......

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8900/img0090rb1.jpg
i had to brace the subs so they wouldn't fly around and smash the grill up, as you can see there is already a bit of that happening.

[luciusad2004]

Cool, thanks for the pics. I'll look around and see what i can rig up. My old fuse holder was smaller and just sat in the engine bay along the side but i couldn't find anything like that for this one. I was thinking i might be abe to zip tie it somewhere. Maybe to another wire or something. I would also like to avoid rust if possible. I didn't even consider that untill you mentioned it.

Wanted to get some more work in on this today but its raining a little.

[Spawn-Inc]

its 2x 10" JL audio http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_enclosures.php?menu=8&prod_id=315
and a Sony XM-D9001GTR http://www.xplodsony.com/xplod/amplifiers/XM-D9001GTR

running on the stock deck

here is a video i just made of the sub and amp in action.

rNOuIlcMSFk

[luciusad2004]

Damn, Must be nice cruising around w/ that. I probably wont be able to get my subs in until sometime next week, and that's only if i can get the damn amp wired up first. My parents place is an hour away and days off work are few and far between. Just gotta run the power line and ground then I'm set to hook her up. It would also be nice to find something to mount my amp to as well.

[calumc]

I've never seen anyone fixing down the fuse holder but i spose you could get one of those double sided sticky pads for an easy solution :)

[luciusad2004]

I've never seen anyone fixing down the fuse holder but i spose you could get one of those double sided sticky pads for an easy solution :)

I was actually thinking that but wasn't sure how well it would hold up to the heat of a hot engine bay. I may give it a shot. I could maybe even try to source some of that industrial strength Velcro, in case i want to remove it later.

[luciusad2004]

Just wanted to send out a thanks to everyone who helped, I got it all hooked up this morning b4 work. I still need to clean up the wireing in my trunk a bit and find a mounting place for my amp but it is all hooked and in working order.

Only had two real stumbling blocks. I broke the screw that tightens my battery terminal to the post and had to walk to the auto store (in freezing weather) to get a new one. After hooking it all up i was sitting there like "why isn't there any bass?" Well turns out I had mistaken the line level input on the amp for the output to my speakers. :dead: Fixed that on my lunch break and now I'm thumpin. Still have some configuration to do on the amp though and need to reset all my stereo settings.

Thanks guys.