Engine bay connectors, quick reply if poss :)

Duo · Post by **Duo** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:28 am

Need to know if I can use any type of connector in the engine may or would it be better to get water resistant ones? Would something like a microphone DIN connector do? After making a loom for an 8 wire device and can stop into buy parts at lunch, probably need to be 12v but doubt it'll take many amps, specifiacally making a boost controller to solenoid loom, could just hard wire it all up with the soldering and heat shrink but a proper set of connectors might be better hehe.

Ideally will be able to stop in and buy at lunch so any quick reply would be great, will be stopping into Radioshack in Hinckley, kinda like Maplin so should have a decent selection.

Cheers guys.

Post by **Ammo** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:36 am

You could always cover a non waterproof connector in "self amalgamating tape" to make it water tight. I'd hard wire it or use a proper connector rather than a din socket not sure they will handle 12v

Duo · Post by **Duo** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:42 am

Ah nuts, that's what I figured Ammo, the proper connectors are so expensive though, maybe hardwire to the solenoid and just use a generic 12v connector under the dash as it'll be fairly shielded from weather under there, was thinking of a DIN as they have the shield option so using a shielded cable I could earth between the cabin and engine bay to improve things, you can never have enough earth points hehehe

I'll ask in the shop if they have weather resistant type connectors and if they're cheap enough I'll get a couple, if not I'll buy some self adhesive heat shrink and solder the thing, still earth it though, shielded twisted pair 8 core 28awg should do it, think it's rated for 30v and quality cable too

Post by **Ammo** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:57 am

AMP do a range of waterproof connectors if maplin etc stock them, but yeah not cheap.

If your gonna use heat shrink get the kind with glue in it as it makes it water tight

Duo · Post by **Duo** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:01 am

They all seem to range from about £6 to £11 each, so £12-£22 for one plug and one socket, ouch!

Post by **Gayno** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:10 pm

How about trying to find a dead alternator and whipping the connectors off that? Pretty sure one of the is an 8 pin, but if not there is defo more than 8 pins between then 2 connectors.

Duo · Post by **Duo** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:15 pm

I may have to try Gayno, was thinking using new connectors would be all nice and neat though

oh well, you can't be full of win all the time