Oops, missed this message! FWIW, the MX150L can be crimped by either of two crimping tools. The one I'd suggest is really very inexpensive: (relatively speaking) #489 from Waytek, about $30. The one we use here costs $310.00. But the cheaper one is really a very good crimper and will last a lifetime.
As far as using another crimper--well, maybe... I never would in production, but that's because we're incredibly fussy about quality. But if you're working on your own boat, and it's not a life-safety issue, who am I to judge? Here's the thing: the very best test for crimp quality is a pull test. We use a specialized machine with an electronic strain-gage that pulls a wire away from a clamped terminal at a rate of one inch of stretch per minute, and records the force it took to break the wire. (We test samples, not production items--we never ship a pull-tested wire because the strands might break inside the wire, and we test to destruction anyway). For 16 AWG wire, for example, we're looking for a capability of 30 pounds. So what I propose is that you use your crimper-wannabe to crimp a sample of the MX150L terminals to a sample wire that matches your searchlight or power cable, clamp the end of the terminal in a vise, and carefully hang 30 pounds from the wire (with no bending of the wire coming off the terminal--pull straight!). This is a quick and dirty test. That's for 16 AWG. If you're using a different gauge, let me know and I'll give you a pound rating. If the wire breaks at the back of the terminal, you either over-crimped it or did a poor job of stripping and cut strands of the wire. If the wire slips out of the terminal, it's not a strong-enough crimp and would make a weak electrical connection,....unless carefully soldered. hmm..... There's an alternative, isn't there? But I hate to suggest it. You have to be a competent solderer, and you have to make a crimp that's close enough to the real thing to let you plug the terminals into the housing...
Let me know if I can help further. Hope this all makes sense.
David Shaddock
Rockford, IL
----- Original Message -----
From: Harvey Rosenberg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2006 17:23
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: 12 Volt Searchlight
To: [email protected]
----- Original Message -----
From: Harvey Rosenberg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2006 17:23
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: 12 Volt Searchlight
To: [email protected]
Hi Dave,
Looked at Waytekwire web site and they say on the catalog page, "MX150L crimpimg tool must be used to insure a good seal". Can you use any high quality crimping tool?
Harvey Rosenberg C-27TR #6023, 1985, M-18, Stony Point NY
------ Original Message ------
Received: Fri, 02 Jun 2006 09:17:52 AM EDT
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: 12 Volt Searchlight
I have another suggestion, if you want something watertight while in operation. How about abandoning the cigar lighter approach and going to a plug/receptacle combination that's meant to be IP67 (dustproof/immersion-safe) in operation? Molex makes a series of connectors that are used by many automobile/tractor/motorcycle/offroad equipment manufacturers. The series is MX150L. For example, they have a receptacle that's completely sealed, made to mount to a panel; the screw holes for mounting are really little plastic 'cans' that won't let water through to the backside. They're not very expensive. either. My company buys them direct from Molex (we manfacture wiring harnesses) but they're available to the public from Waytek (www.waytekwire.com or 800-328-2724).The one part they DON'T have (yet--it's coming soon) is a cover plug. But we use spare plugs and fill them with 'blank circuit plugs'.I'm using them all over my 1977 C27--mast base, power and data connections at my helm, masthead lights, etc. And our customers love them--some big names in the industrial equipment industry...David ShaddockRockford, IL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rudolph S. Behar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thursday, June 1, 2006 17:14
Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: 12 Volt Searchlight
To: [email protected]
> Harvey,
>
> Mount it reasonably high, of course. My switches are all
> at factory
> height, say 12" off the floor boards. Now if I get
> 4" on the
> floorboards and eveything is shloshing around, bzzzt!
>
> Rudy B.
>
> Rudolph S. Behar wrote:
>
> > Harvey,
> >
> > Mine, from West, has a plastic cover that's hinged to the
> body.
> > That's, I suppose, to splashproof it. It cant be anymore
> waterproof
> > than the rear side of it, where the connections are, no?
> And, of
> > course, it's not waterproof while it's being used.
> >
> > Rudy B.
> >
> > Harvey Rosenberg wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I have a 12 volt searchlight with a cigarette lighter end. I
> know you
> >> can buy a receptacle with a watertight seal, but as soon as
> you open
> >> the seal and insert the cigarette lighter adapter in
> it, it is no
> >> longer waterproof. Any suggestions?
> >>
> >>
>
