GM Weatherpack crimper
 

There was a discussion about GM Weatherpack and the similar Metripack electrical connectors on here awhile ago. I love these connectors - even though they're relatively expensive - they make a great connection and they're weatherproof. What I HATED about doing them is the crimper I had made it very clumsy to hold the "end" - insert the wire - with the silicone boot and get it all inserted into the "end" and get a good crimp. If you jiggled just a bit - the wire would not get crimped or the boot would not -- etc... SO after that discussion I went in search of a better mouse trap... and ordered these DELPHI crimpers. WOW is all I can say! They hold the "end" you just insert the wire with the boot and crimp away... it makes a PERFECT crimp and unlike my other pair - these crimp the boot ROUND -- so it's not cut or damaged and retains it's shape. SO SLICK! Well worth the rather high price of $129 I found on the internet... a good tool can make you actually appear to have some skills! :rofl:

SORRY THE PICTURES KINDA SUCK!


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_1615.jpg


Now if you look --- you can see the END loaded into the tool


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_1616.jpg


Load the "boot" on the end of the wire


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_1617.jpg


Shove the wire with the boot in....


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_1618.jpg


Makes a perfect crimp!!


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/IMG_1619.jpg

Looks good any links to purchase these?

Also what about good sources for Weather pack connectors?


Thanks! :hail:

Ah.... there is nothing like using good crimpers. The one that ratchet are the best.

Here is one:

http://order.waytekwire.com/productd...0FOR%20DELPHI/

same one I have, works great on weatherpack and metripack.

Jody

Welcome to 1986 Weld. I used one of them there in college. (That's true)Seriously the only way to do a reasonable job of crimping any quality terminal and especially weather pak. It's worth the 100 bucks.

change your camera settings to macro next time and the pictures should come out nice.

Glad you like the crimpers. The cost is kind of steep but when you use it a lot, you realize it is totally worth it, lol.

$70.00 Mara Industrial supply part#12014254 Just bought one Thanx Greg!!!

Since I was in the "shed" I was just taking the pic with my iPhone.... and there is no macro settings on it... I wasn't going to take the time to come to the house and grab the Nikon just for this... but the pics do SUCK! :rofl:


MARIO --- WELCOME buddy! :cheers:

Okay == I'm not explaining why I think this tool is so far superior.... I have many crimpers... but this one is DIFFERENT.

Here's better pics of the tool -- the main difference between this one and the other one I have is that this new tool has a "HOLDER" for the terminal -- and you can stick the terminal in the holder and then insert the wire/boot without having to close the crimper etc... this way you can actually see what you're doing (since the jaws remain open and out of your way)...

My other crimper - has to clamp down on the terminal in order to hold it - doing this puts the jaws in your way so you can't see -- and if you close them too hard then it's hard to insert the boot - and if you don't clamp it hard enough to hold it - you end up pushing the terminal out the other side - and or ruining the crimp...


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC_7748.jpg


With terminal "loaded in" tool

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC_7750.jpg


http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC_7754.jpg

Ok, I haven't used that crimper. Cool deal. I really don't have a problem with the old school delphi but that requires my glasses and plenty of practice. The key to the old school is to put the terminal in the crimper to where it has slight tension, then insert the wire and crimp it. The seal only needs just enough to colapse the shroud. Beats the hell out of a solder in a tight spot. Cool tool you have there. :thumbsup:

Looking online I found those style delphi crimpers with a "normal" (standard length?) handle and ones with a "longer handle". For those who have used these, is there any difference between the two when using them?

I'd buy the shorter for that time when you need to crimp in a tight spot. If you need the long handle you better go enroll at your local health club. :unibrow:

Cool thread. I plan on repinning my own harness so I need a good set of crimpers. These do Metripack too? I have not had to mess with those yet but of course I will.

Do the longer handled ones allow for larger ga wire?

I have short handled crimpers and this new one is longer by a couple inches - they're both the same "effort".... I think the reason for the longer one is if you did this all day long - they'd be easier because of the leverage... but the EASIST PART is the "added" holder block on this pair - cause it really frees up your squeeze hand to just doing that job period -- and the "view" with the crimper opened up - to see the wire laid in properly etc is what I'm so happy with... vs my "normal" pair. If you can get the shorter handle with the holder part - I don't think long vs short is any issue... they ratchet... and like Todd said == if you can't crimp something then you'd better hit the gym! Or start on some carrot juice! :rofl: :woot:

Todd has Kelli do all his heavy lifting....

Here's the "description" of this particular model:


This is the Genuine Delphi Crimper, 12014254.

Compound leverage ratchet mechanism reduces operator fatigue, ensures crimp completion and provides exactly the same crimp time after time. Crimps Weather Pack terminal and seal in one cycle. Features two double cavities, an orientation block and a ratchet mechanism to ensure that each crimp cycle is completed. Factory calibrated to be used only with Weather Pack terminals and seals. Wire range 20-14.


It's the "ORIENTATION BLOCK" that is the big difference for me...

This is where I bought mine --- they offer MANY that do Metri and Weatherpack... all prices and styles.

http://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/ind...th/111_112_170

Weather pack connectors
 

Where is the best place to buy the actual connectors? Do you order them individually or a whole kit? I've got the American Autowire kit for my Camaro, do you guys recommend replacing all of the ends or just the ones exposed to the elements?

I bought a weatherpack kit from Casper electronics. I'd recommend them on exterior connections like fans, fuel pump, igntion box, distributor, trinary switch. I'd also recommend using dielectric grease in all your standard connections and ground surfaces.

Amazon has suppliers for kits -- if you just want a "starter" kit... $60

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...G6JWQ4J76ZPJEF

OR --- BETTER KIT HERE.... $129


http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/7...kit-p-380.html

You might want to take a look here too : http://www.digikey.com

I got a big box of crayons there once....:rofl:


WEDGED -- That site you posted has lots of "stuff" -- but I spent 3 minutes searching the site - and couldn't come up with a single WEATHERPACK item...

This is another super simple to use website for the Weatherpack and Metri-pack supplies....

I'm fond of EASY TO USE websites... simple sites for a simple man....

http://happyterminals.com/index.php

:willy:

I forgot how difficult their website can be. I use the paper catalog which is slightly less difficult. It helps that they have pictures in it. I'll try to find the section on the website & then link it.

:lol:

Thats a great site Greg... I need some terminals but they only sell in groups of 100 :(

Summit sells packs of terminals - 10 of each - male / female / seals for like $7.95 if people just need a few of them. They carry all 3 major size ranges...

If you've got more than one hot rod... then 10 just doesn't get 'er done... and in my shed -- I end up being the neighborhood/club supplier... on EVERYTHING... so I tend to buy larger quantities...

Casper Electronics has packs of these as well...

Guys for $129 ......I think it's a rip!!!!
You can get a Weatherpack crimper ($30), full set of weather pack connectors ($73)
AND a heat shrink tubing kit ($8) for the price of that one tool.

I bought this tool last summer to do my Metripack and Weatherpack connections and it's been awesome. $29 from Amazon.
I just put an American Autowire harness in my car using Weatherpack and Metripack connectors, and this thing is a Godsend.

If you can't crimp a connector WITHOUT a ratcheting tool, you should hit the gym....lol

http://secure.telematica.gr/images/r...RTD-WPSK2b.jpg

You would think that -- unless you'd used it... then you'd say WOW -- That Weld Dude knows his stuff and buys really quality tools... :rofl:

I've used better tools than this in prison.

The ratchet makes it easier to use in tight places, but its certainly not needed. I prefer the Kent-Moore "J tools" GM version, I got mine for $75 though, $125 seems a bit much.

I have to agree. No need to spend tons on a terminal crimper. I have some expensive ratcheting crimpers with replaceable dies. But for small weatherpak terminals there isnt much to crimp. But you dont use the ratchet type crimpers because they apply more force. I like them for a few reasons. And hate them for others.

I like them because the dies included are usually better. Yup, they have a better seat for the terminal that you are crimping. One size, or more importantly one shape doesnt fit all. I dont like the stamped steel jaws of the inexpensive crimpers. I like the dies on the expensive crimpers.

What I dont like, and its prolly only on mine. Is that once the ratchet is engaged I cant release it without a full pull. Its supposed to be able to disengage the ratchet with a flip of a lever. But the lever gets loaded if there is any pressure on the jaws and makes it very difficult to disengage the ratchet. So if Im crimping a terminal and I get it a lil too far in or not set correctly in the die head I cant reposition it unless I can release the ratchet. And I usually cant so I have to do a full pull to release the ratchet.

But the ratchet does help sometimes. I can set a terminal in the die head and ratchet it down slightly to hold the terminal. And it stays put while I set the wire then do a pull to crimp. Acts like a vice for the terminal. Like a third hand for me.

Anyway, I like the tool. But the most important part are the dies supplied. Use proper dies and not all purposes dies (like on the inexpensive tools) and you will get a solid connection. JR

JR -- Agree withyou on the ratcheting part - I can release my ratcheting crimpers with the release trigger IF you put just the tinniest bit of pressure on the handles (squeeze) and THEN hit the release trigger...

OKAY -- For the CHEAPPIES out there.. the part you still don't get is what I like about the fancy dandy new versions I bought -- and that is the terminal holder that is attached to the crimper... and if you haven't experienced that part - then you don't know what you're missing. And that part up under a dash - is even handier! Because you can load the terminal and it stays put - so now all you have to do is load the wire and squeeze. Done. Perfect crimp on the wire and the seal.

:cheers:

Alternate Paladin crimper
 

I have a Paladin 1300 crimper for amateur radio cables. It has controlled squeeze pressure and auto-release. I use the #2033 die set for WeatherPack terminals, as shown at http://gopherbaroque.webs.com/apps/p...otoid=81304723