[Healeys] Screw terminals - keeping them connected?

[Bob Spidell]

Not sure what you mean by 'screw terminals,'  like what our BN2 has on 
the fuse block and regulator?  Don't know if there is much you can do to 
secure them other than checking them occasionally.  Was advised not to 
tin the end of the wires going into the terminals because the solder 
'flows out.'  Sounds reasonable, but can't say for sure (we tinned them 
anyway).  I suppose you could use thread locker (sparingly).

For other connectors--spade, lucar, ring, etc.--the crimp type are 
preferred (over solder) in aircraft, but they use high quality 
connectors and tools (the ratcheting type is best).  You can get special 
aviation/marine grade connectors and tools that crimp them in two places 
simultaneously--one clamps the bare wire and the other puts a strain 
relief on the insulation.  The tools are ratcheting, and both the tool 
and the connectors are expensive, but for critical applications I 
believe they're worth it.  Heat shrink tubing on the connector makes 
everything look tidy and professional.  Cheap connectors and tools are 
almost guaranteed to fail eventually.

Here you'll find tools to make life easy (service from this company is 
excellent).  I highly recommend the tool to connect bullet connectors 
(SSC1):

http://www.britishwiring.com/CAT28_29.PDF


I've taken to putting dielectric grease in the bullet-type connections 
to preclude corrosion.  This stuff is good:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dc4.php


bs


Oudesluys wrote:
> Soldering connectors (spade and bullet) and tinning wire ends is a 
> good practice. I always do this if applicable and spray the 
> connectors/connections first with WD40 and after fitting with 
> preservative wax to keep moisture and corrosion at bay. Messy, but it 
> seems to work well. Copper anti seize compound may lead to 
> electrolitic corrosion and does not sound like a good idea. Perhaps 
> better to use the aluminium variant.
> Kees Oudesluijs
> NL
>
>
> Alan Seigrist wrote:
>> All -
>>
>> On several of my cars I have screw terminals.  I notice that over 
>> time, they
>> don't seem to keep connection as well as the Lucar/bullet terminals 
>> on my
>> BJ8.
>>
>> I was wondering if any of you have a trick to keeping the connections 
>> live,
>> hopefully forever, once they've been screwed down?
>>
>> I am considering the following:
>>
>>    1. Use copper anti-seize lubricant between screw and wire?
>>    2. solder/don't solder (i.e. tinning) copper wire tips?
>>    3. use dielectric/lithium grease between screw and wire?
>>    4. use nothing and splay out the wire ends?
>>    5. stop being such a Nancy-boy and just screw down the terminals 
>> every
>>    six months?
>>
>> Any ideas welcome,
>>
>> Alan
>>
>> '52 A90
>> '53 BN1
>> '59 Jag Mk IX
>> '64 BJ8
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>


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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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