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How to Twist Wire for a Neat Electrical Install

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Old Jan 7, 2009 | 02:10 PM
  #1  
TBFGhost's Avatar
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Default How to Twist Wire for a Neat Electrical Install

HOW TO TWIST WIRES......

STEP1) Gather tools and wire....




STEP2) CLAMP WIRE TO SOLID OBJECT, EVEN OUT WIRE LENGHT, INSERT WIRE INTO DRILL CHUCK.



STEP3) TWIST WIRE WITH DRILL


STEP4) UNCLAMP. NOW YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE NEAT AFTERMARKET WIRING INSTALLS.


I would also high reccomend people stop just twisting wires together and wrapping them with electrical tape. [:'(]I hate that.For good connections, I solder, then put liquid electrical tape on that, then two layers of heat shrink. I do the same when I put a terminal on the end of a wire...be it for a ground or for quick disconnect.

I also color match my wire.....make sure you always get STRANDED wire...solid wire is not good for automotive applications...

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/825450/Wire/Hook-Up-100-Rolls-/1.html

I also order my heat shrink from here...you can get it in 4 foot sections for $2 or $3
 
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 08:04 PM
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question:

When you have a very small wire(high gauge) it gets fragile when you solder it and often breaks all the way through if it is flexed at all. What can you do in that case to keep a good connection? thicker wires are not an issue since they are much stronger but some like the ones coming from turn signals are very thin.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 02:45 PM
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that is a good oldschool trick,

as for the thin wire question, you need to immobolize the wire somehow, with either a grommet style clamp or possibly a knot or wrapping it around a ost somewhere.

good ol'fashion tape works wonders too
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 10:50 PM
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For small wires or really any wire that is in a location that is vibrated a grommet style strain relief will keep the solder from vibrating and breaking loose; also be sure clean up the surfaces with a decent flux prior to making your connection to ensure a good contact.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 06:28 PM
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HAHA Hell yeah! I've been doing this for like 10 years with PC fans. Thought I was the only one! Awesome, easy tip to share!
 
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 09:34 PM
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very nice. it's simple but i would not have thought of it.

SD
 
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Old Jun 15, 2009 | 10:12 PM
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i have been doing this for years, i used to install car alarms, and stereo's, this was the preferred way to make a nice clean install.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by TBFGhost
then put liquid electrical tape on that
I could never get the hang of that stuff. It would always drip off, so there'd never be enough on the wire to insulate it. Is there a particular brand you reccomend, maybe?
 
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Old Jun 17, 2009 | 10:48 AM
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^You have to leave it in the goop for a few seconds and then pull it out of the goop just as slow.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:53 PM
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I use this method a lot. Definitely keeps a clean look instead of looking like a mess of snakes
 
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