Wiring Looms / Harnesses & Connectors

[ESH]

A while back I was reading about some very good electrical connectors (Deutsch) which are designed for aero, marine, military use etc and which are also being used in race cars and I was wondering if anyone here has experience of these type of connections? The reason I'm asking is that I'm trying to work out what to do regarding a wiring harness / loom for a street car (in a damp climate). The simplest option is to get one off the shelf and adapt it but another option would be to ask a friend who's (reluctantly) an electrical specialist to make one from scratch. Assuming I went with the latter option there's the opportunity to break the loom into three / five / many pieces using these connectors. On the one hand this affords flexibility and makes future changes potentially easier but it also potentially introduces points of failure into the system so I was wondering if anyone has real world experience of them? Obviously anything used in the aero industry is built to a standard and someone on here used this analogy when talking about the reliability magnetos but missed the fact that aero engines run a limited rpm range in addition to the fact that all aero applications are subjected to a much higher frequency of maintenance than you'd want in a car (as are race applications, military applications etc etc). The connectors are good, that's not the question, it's a case of whether or not they are suited to the application in terms of long term zero maintenance reliability. I say zero maintenance since electrical faults in a car are diagnosed generally at either of the terminating ends, you rarely if ever have to check the middle unless you have a mouse problem.

 

[benssp]

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/connectors/multiconnectors.php

halfway down the page, weatherproof connectors. think they're GM connectors, same MSD sell

[Harry/FDK]

Hi Mat, for wat you would like, check out Watsons Streetworks, and add your own multi-connectors. I used GM style (Weatherpack). You can find these also at your Vauxhall/Opel dealer. It worked for me (sofar).

[Tony M]

Just installed a watsons-street works modular wire harness - they dont come with water tight conectors but can be added - a very nice kit - full inst. - all harnesses and labled and in order - al little $ but well worth the money - installed the kit and we took the car to mexico and ran 2400 miles with no problems - i used all heat shrink type elc. conectors - went into the mud, dust, water -

[SteveW]

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/connectors/multiconnectors.php

halfway down the page, weatherproof connectors. think they're GM connectors, same MSD sell

That's what I'm going to be using on our racecar. I'm starting from scratch using a Painless fuse block and possibly a painless harness which I'll adapt.

[Tony M]

used a painless in both race cars - nice wire harness too - takes a lot of abuse with no problems - have had it full of mud and water with no problems

[Bernard Newbury]

Matt
I've used the MSD connectors for the about last 7 years without any problems but I also soldered as well crimping. They were used so that I could remove components or ignition parts quickly with ease. As for the loom, I would custom wire it to suit your needs. I also made a note of the colours, plug # etc so that I can always refer to it. Bernie

[ESH]

Thanks for the info and links, since it seems this is a tried and tested route it looks like I'm going to have to persuade some unsuspecting Italian tourist to bring his crimpers and soldering iron over next time he visits.

 

[Neil Davies]

Mat, I've been looking into this a little bit as I've ripped the original loom out of the '70 (seeing as how it was completely butchered and had pieces of household twin and earth let into it... )

I think I'm going to use the Loom from VW Heritage (http://www.vwheritage.com/vwh/VW-Beetle-Parts/Electrical/Wiring-Looms-Kits/?templateID=vwh), and break the loom down at the back, probably using the GM/MSD connectors that Ben posted the link to earlier.
The way I've thought it out is that the engine bay should be all on two multi connectors and the rear wings on one connector each side too. Basically, I want to be able to disconnect the rear light wiring on quick release plugs for when I take the wings off, and then undo one connector which will allow the engine bay to be removed (I've got the valance and engine bay sides welded together so they're removeable in one piece). This will save having to unthread the wiring from the wings through the metalwork. The second engine bay connector would be for the motor itself.

I want to add a couple of wires to the loom before it goes in the car though - tacho and other gauges yet to be decided - but I think it'll be easier to thread through additional wires into the loom before it goes in the car. I also need to add earth wires in for the back of the car as I'm using 'glass rear wings and decklid.

[Tony M]

I have a stock wiring harness in my baja - i only got 3 extra wires into a stock harness - tight fit - but it works great too.