Where to buy Waterproof lockable cables?

[Jamesdh266]

Does anyone know where I can find waterproof lockable cables like the ones below ( from batteryspace) but that have more friendly shipping rates to the UK?

Thanks

 

[Steve K]

Have you considered buying connectors that are sealed, and making your own cables? I'm not sure what's easily available to you, but I'm sure that there are places to buy Deutsch DT series connectors.

www.deutschipd.com/dt_series_brochure.pdf

I'm a EE for a company that makes earthmoving equipment. We use these connectors on our machines with good results. They are fairly inexpensive, but reliable. I'm sure that you could buy them at the dealership (hint: the company is named for a small insect with many feet).

As the brochure points out, many other manufacturers use Deutsch connectors too, so there may be more convenient sources.

cheers,
Steve K.

 

[Harpoon76]

I was looking at the BS connectors but didn't bother due to the delivery costs.

I'm using AMP SuperSeal connectors which are readily available from eBay, Farnell, RS and other places.

Downside of them is that the proper AMP crimp tool for them is £120ish! However, with a bit of practise you can hand assemble them. The crimp pins / connectors are pretty cheap, about 9p each. The wire seals are 5p and the two parts of the connector are 50p and 60p each.

Farnell don't sell the rubber boots for them but I'm heatshrinking mine for extra protection.

They are popular with car companies apparently.

 

[gunga]

If you are okay with the trail tech connectors (snap together, supposed to be waterproof) I have a spare set.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3431

I think I have 1 side 4" coiled and 1 pair of 4" wire

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3243

It was around $15 for the parts plus shipping. I can ship them to you for a resonable price if you are interested. I bought a few sets for a headlamp project. Used , but still have one. THey are a bit too heavy duty for headlamp use.

Just PM me and I'll try to find them...

BTW, how much does BS charge for international to England?

 

[leew]

Have you checked farnell? they offer thousands of connectors, there must be something suitable there. They do have a £20 min order but shipping is free http://uk.farnell.com/

 

[Harpoon76]

BTW, how much does BS charge for international to England?

12 USD of connectors will cost 52.32 USD to ship via UPS. The Fedex option isn't any cheaper.

All-battery.com is similar money but use USPS for their eBay store so that works out much cheaper. Not sure they sell the connectors though.

 

[Steve K]

Downside of them is that the proper AMP crimp tool for them is £120ish! However, with a bit of practise you can hand assemble them. The crimp pins / connectors are pretty cheap, about 9p each. The wire seals are 5p and the two parts of the connector are 50p and 60p each.

Crimpers are very useful if you are in industry. They prevent over-crimping the connectors, and make it a repeatable process.

For the hobbyist, you may be able to get by with soldering the pin or socket to the wire. Be sure to use the upper crimp tabs, since they act as a strain relief.

The Amp connectors look nice enough. At work, we are in the process of replacing the Deutsch DT connectors with Amp "Sure Seal" connectors. Must be a step up from the Super Seals.

regards,
Steve K.

 

[jirik_cz]

12 USD of connectors will cost 52.32 USD to ship via UPS. The Fedex option isn't any cheaper.

If you ask them, they will ship with USPS. I've already ordered some cables and shipping with USPS was 20$ + 5$ handling fee.

We don't use USPS to ship item due to USPS does not provide a good tracking system. However, if you still prefer to use USPS to ship then we are NOT liable for any damage/ miss shipment and we will charge you $5.00 + whatever USPS shipping cost for handling this.
If this is acceptable to you, you can just place order using UPS or FedEx and then I can refund you the difference using USPS to ship to you. Please enter on the comment section - " I like to use USPS to ship and willing to accept the risk of loss or damage shipment. " Also, please send me email with your order # so I can follow up for you.

 

[Harpoon76]

Crimpers are very useful if you are in industry. They prevent over-crimping the connectors, and make it a repeatable process.

For the hobbyist, you may be able to get by with soldering the pin or socket to the wire. Be sure to use the upper crimp tabs, since they act as a strain relief.

The Amp connectors look nice enough. At work, we are in the process of replacing the Deutsch DT connectors with Amp "Sure Seal" connectors. Must be a step up from the Super Seals.

regards,
Steve K.

Which bit of the crimp tab do you mean by the "upper"?

Looking at this Crimp pin, do you mean the U shape at the left hand end? I've taken to crimping that down onto the wire insulation (ie not stripped), then solder the bare wire and fold in the smaller U (2nd from the left end) shape with pliers.

If you ask them, they will ship with USPS. I've already ordered some cables and shipping with USPS was 20$ + 5$ handling fee.

Ah, good to know that.

 

[Steve K]

Which bit of the crimp tab do you mean by the "upper"?

Looking at this Crimp pin, do you mean the U shape at the left hand end? I've taken to crimping that down onto the wire insulation (ie not stripped), then solder the bare wire and fold in the smaller U (2nd from the left end) shape with pliers.

Your description is exactly what I do, and also what the crimper will do (minus the soldering). Very good!

I didn't mention it before, but one valuable feature of the crimp tool is that it prevents overcrimping. It's a well known fact among experts that overcrimping will cause early wire fatigue and failure, and my own early experiences confirm this.

Soldering the wire avoids this particular problem, but you still need to worry about proper strain relief. The soldered wire is very vulnerable at the point where the solder stopped wicking up the wire strands. The transition from "stiff" to "flexible" is where the stress will concentrate and the wire will failure. The job of the strain relief is to keep this area of wire from flexing. (most of the CPF readers will already know this, but it's good to review the fundamentals)

Steve

 

[Zero_Enigma]

12 USD of connectors will cost 52.32 USD to ship via UPS. The Fedex option isn't any cheaper.

All-battery.com is similar money but use USPS for their eBay store so that works out much cheaper. Not sure they sell the connectors though.

Dood that's almost as bad as shiping to Toronto. I forgot but I was looking for same said cable and a helmet mount (and another supplier then AB and BS) and I think it came to ~$30-42 USD to ship here.

Someone down south needs to start up a store for some compeition.

 

[Jamesdh266]

Thanks guys Ill have a look on farnell. Ive looked on RS but couldnt find anything small enough but maybe thats because they have so much on there.

@ gunga pm sent.

 

[gunga]

I finally found the wires. Made a mistake.

I have a matching set of the Trailtech wires, with 6" cord (it's really 12" each, even though it says 6").

I also have the male side 4' coiled cord.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1057

Will send another PM.

 

[Zero_Enigma]

Well worth a shot. If anyone has spare BS paired waterproof lockable cables and a bar or helmet mount let me know. BS's prices on shipping up here are :sick2::green:. If I lived in B.C Canada I'd drive down and buy it (if they have a local front).

Anyone up for a group buy? I think the lockable waterproof cables and helmet/bar mounts are probably the most popular items people want but seriously turned off and turned away by BS's high S/H.

 

[Jamesdh266]

I think Ill go with the AMP super sealones as they look pretty good and they are cheap.

Also what wire size/gauge would you recommend using with them that would stand up to a fair amount of abuse from mountain biking? Preferable one from farnel so that I can order it all together.

Can I just make sure that all tha parts that you need for them are:

Male housing http://uk.farnell.com/tyco-electronics-amp/282080-1/socket-housing-2way/dp/150400

Female housing http://uk.farnell.com/tyco-electronics-amp/282104-1/tab-housing-2way/dp/150654

male pins http://uk.farnell.com/tyco-electronics-amp/183036-1/crimp-pin-tab-22-20awg/dp/151038

female pins http://uk.farnell.com/tyco-electronics-amp/183035-1/crimp-socket-22-20a/dp/151063

wire seals http://uk.farnell.com/tyco-electronics-amp/281934-4/wire-seal-green/dp/150915