Working with weatherpak terminals

[DRJDVM's '69]

I just got all my Ridetech stuff to get all my compressor hooked up and alot of the cables will be WAY long for what I need when I mount it all up. They come pre-terminated with weatherpak terminals. Rather than have all the extra length all bundled up and looking like crap, I want to shorten them as needed.

So...

I know I need a special crimper to make the terminals.....any suggested place to get it and the new terminals? I plan on doing more in the future, so I'm willing to invest alittle $$ in getting a good tool.

How do I get the current terminals out of the plastic end "caps" ? I know how to get terminals out of "standard" connectors, but not the weather paks. I'd rather not mangle the plastic caps I have.

[DRJDVM's '69]

So Jegs and Summit have kits...

It looks like some of them have a special tool to remove the terimals.. can it be done without the tool?

Is the Weatherpack and Metripack terminals going to use the same crimper?

[gearheads78]

I have a little tool that looks like a throwing star from Matco tool truck. I use it for all kinds of terminals including weather pac.

edit :I found them on EBAY just do a search wire termial tool

http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/57/72/33_1_b.JPG

[Jim Nilsen]

Some weather pak terminals can be removed with a safety pin, others need a tube with a spring and some the 2 prong tangs.

I just got done playing with my hego O2 sensor plug and the tool like in the pic didn't work but the safety pin did. I had to bend the tang back to its original place to get it to stay back in but it work good.

Getting the right tool really helps and really getting some light on them helps in seeing the tangs. A small led light is what I used to see them.

Good luck and remember that you can buy new ones and shorten up most of the wires in a harness to begin with. You can also change to a different style connector if you wish. Most connector are a certain shape to conform to factory harnesses.

[Vegas69]

I just ordered a large weatherack kit from Casper electronics. They have terminals capable of 12 gauge wire where Painless doesn't. The kit came with the terminal removal tool for like $75 bucks and included about 20 connectors and a bunch of terminals. I bought my crimper from American Autowire. It's a real GM tool and was pricey but works perfect. I'm sure Casper has one as well. They were very friendly and helpful when I called.:thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

Once you Weatherpak you never go back!

They are THE BEST -- but do require special crimpers (Moroso also sells a very nice ratcheting crimper with changeable jaws so you can do weatherpak - spark plug wires and regular crimps!)... and require special tools to work with pin replacement etc.

What I like the most about them - I can do TWO 4 (pick a number here) place connectors - in the same harness next to each other - and I can REVERSE the male/female connectors - so that there's no way you could connect them together incorrectly. Lights and fans - pumps etc -- all weatherproof - locking - and mix up proof... can't beat that combo.

[WSSix]

Once you Metripack you never go back!



Fixed it for you :D

Seriously though, both weatherpack and metripacks are great for the exact reasons Greg listed. Metripack 150's are what is used by GM on all modern cars. You really don't see weatherpack any more but they aren't bad. Metripacks are just smaller and handle the same size wires. The only bad thing about metripack are the different combinations within the 150 family. You have sealed or unsealed. But you also have push to seat or pull to seat. Pull to seat can be a pain to deal with when trying to remove the terminals. Then you have the different gauge sizes. So you may end up with a rather large assortment of connectors and pins to make it all work. It's worth it though. Make sure you get quality crimpers and removal tools and your life will be much easier.

For you guys that have businesses, try Terminal Supply or Power and Signal for your connectors and such.

[GregWeld]

Thank you for fixing my mistake! I wasn't even sure how the h*** to spell it.... LOL

I'm not sure if what I have are the WP or MP's --- but whatever they are - I sure prefer using them over the old stuff. I agree with you -- you get a huge assortment of gauge terminals and silicone boots etc - but they're worth it! The only problem I have is with my old eyes -- sometimes trying to see the wire actually go in the terminal can be a real pain! I've also -- FINALLY -- gotten used to (habit) of slipping the silicone on the wire BEFORE crimping.

Here's a question for you! I have been crimping the silicone "boot" on the wire... so that it's held on the wire via the crimp.... I saw this in a factory version I took apart - and copied it. Is that correct?

I also hold the terminal in the crimper -- and then load the wire into the terminal... otherwise they're just too small and my fingers suck!

Any hints or tricks you have up your sleeve and care to share??
:cheers:

[DRJDVM's '69]

While researching the weatherpack stuff I found this site..
http://www.whiteproducts.com/faqs.shtml

It has some pix of the connection and has a link to instruction on using their crimper.

So based on this page, yes..... you do place the rubber seal into the crimp. With their instructions, they also place the terminal into the crimper first and then feed the wire into it.
http://www.whiteproducts.com/pdfs/T-12%20Tool%20Instructions%20w-photos.pdf

[Vegas69]

What did you think that second clamp was for Weld?:lol:

[GregWeld]

I thought - CORRECTLY AS IT TURNS OUT - that it was to hold the SILLY CONE boot/seal.... :unibrow:

I also just ordered what appears to be a FAR SUPERIOR TOOL FOR OLD GUYS --- the SPX Kent Moore J-38852 - crimper. My old eyes - getting that stupid little terminal loaded - and held in place - and then trying to load the wire and get the boot/seal to stay in place etc.... TOO MUCH WORK... this Kent Moore tool HOLDS the terminal by the "nose" and then allows you to load the wire/seal combo... That's the way I like it - uh huh - uh huh....

[DRJDVM's '69]

Where did you get it and how much $$?

[GregWeld]

Ned --


http://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/cPath/111_112_170/products_id/616


$129 plus shipping...

I have a Moroso changeable jaw ratcheting version -- but this Kent Moore tool appears to be FAR easier to use... so ordered one.

[GregWeld]

I can't find the Moroso version listed at Moroso any longer - they have the same looking tool - with changeable jaws - but they now seem to only come with Spark plug wire crimping jaws - and standard butt terminal jaws - while mine has the added Weather Pack jaws... But I've had it a long time and who knows where I might have gotten the jaw set.

Here's one on AMAZON that is similar to the ones I have (I have an Anchor Marine version and the Moroso version).

BUT -- this doesn't really hold the terminal. You have to get the terminal in the jaws -- where you're going to crimp - and then the jaws are covering up the terminal where you need to (want to) be able to see that you have the seal in - and the wire in where you want it. If that makes any sense.

The Kent Moore tool has an actual holder for the terminal allowing you to lay the wire and seal in - and then start your crimp.


http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-18920-Ratcheting-Terminal/dp/B0002STTTI/ref=pd_sim_auto_2

[WSSix]

You're doing it right and how I do it. You just have to be careful to use sealed terminals with the seal. The unsealed terminals obviously don't have provisions for the seal itself so you don't want to try and crimp the seal into those terminals.

BTW, you can use weatherpacks the same way you do metripacks. I was just messing with you saying I fixed it for you. I prefer metripack because they are smaller but weatherpacks work just as well.

[GregWeld]

Thanks Trey!

[CreepinDeth]

I bought the multi-pack Weatherpack kit from Casper Electronics on Summit for ~$70
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CEI-103005/ < Comes with removal tool.

I bought the Weatherpack crimper from Casper Electronics for $30 off Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Caspers-Electronics-T-18-Weather-Crimp/dp/B000IHBHK2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1267002957&sr=8-2
Spending $130 on what a $30 tool can do is a waste of $100 IMHO.

For $3 more you get the Delphi Bulkhead connector (http://www.amazon.com/Delphi-Packard-Weather-Pack-PIN-BULKHEAD-20-18/dp/B0017NR110/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1267003089&sr=8-2-catcorr) removal tool as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Caspers-Electronics-Weatherpack-removal-tool/dp/B000IIY56E/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_b

Then just order a heat shrink tubing kit for $8 from Harbor Freight and get yourself a GOOD soldering iron.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92300 (Amazon wants $30 ...nuts)

[Gopher]

I have a Paladin 1300 series crimping tool for amateur radio / computer work. I use the #2033 die set for WeatherPack terminals, as seen here (http://gopherbaroque.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=81304723).

[GregWeld]

It's okay - it's just wrong is all...:D

The tangs cut into the silicone boot... rather than forming them ROUND around the boot... boots are expensive... and should be reusable.