Just say no to vampire connectors...

[Crashtd420]

I've wanted to post this for a little while..... I keep seeing these vampire connectors in people's wiring....

When I use to install alarms and remotestarts and every time i had to repair someone else work i would find these.. the vampire connectors were the biggest cause of the systems malfunctioning....

This is a reference sheet to what that I think is a better way to make the connections....

 

[Crashtd420]

And this is the vampire connection incase someone doesn't know what connector I'm referring to....

 

[d.p]

Just say no to abnormally large pictures too. 

[datzenmike]

Yes I've seen those before that were too small and practically severed the main power lead to the fuse box.

[shacks510]

Ah yes, "fire starters"

[mainer311]

Unless it's a standard crimp connector, solder and heatshrink...always. I like the epoxy lined heatshrink even better.

[Draker]

I'm using them as Moath described.. to tap a wire temporarily when mocking up an engine swap. Once that is complete they will go back in the box and the wires will be cut and ran appropriately.

[Crashtd420]

I'm sure there are some variations to what I posted depend on what your trying to do.. I tend to use a combination of methods to get my wiring done....

 

Just trying to get people away from those vampire connections

And ya those epoxy lined ones are neat..

[]2eDeYe]

It was all good til I saw that blue butt connector :lol: 

[Draker]

I do hate those red yellow blue connectors. But better than wire nuts....

[]2eDeYe]

It wouldn't be so bad if the wire wasn't exposed. 

 

 

Wire nuts :rofl: 

[Lockleaf]

I use the metal crimp connectors often, but i remove that blue plastic covering completely and use heat shrink. I crimp them down (which makes a U shape) then turn them 90 degrees and crimp that U shut.

[G-Duax]

Two things I hate to see in any car, or piece of industrial machinery......

Butt connectors & wire nuts.

 

On the other hand, I've never had any problems with Scotch Locks (what you call vampire connections).

But you have to use ones sized for the wire you have.

And if used under the hood, or anywhere there is a possibility to get water on them, I use a dab of switch grease in them, and heat shrink over top.

[Crashtd420]

I never actually new what they were called... I saw some one refer to them as vampire connectors ...

 

G-daux i guess the biggest problem I've seen is that the people I have seen use them couldn't choose the correct one to use...

 

If used they need to be used properly ...

 

I guess moral of the story is use the right gauge wire and The right connector and protect that connection no matter what your preference.....

[wayno]

All the juice in my truck should be sucked dry by now, I have vampires everywhere, it's just so much easier to install a trailer plug with them than it is to strip and wrap wires under the truck.

I only have the blue ones myself, most the wires I need to use them on are the correct size, and I would never use them on larger wires like what go to the alternator, I make them from scratch and would never splice into anything that large anyway.

[NoMoneyZ]

They have their uses, and when used properly cause no issues that I've personally witnessed, such as alarms or led lighting. I do agree that solder and heat shrink method is the best. I am also a fan of the glue lined butt connectors. They are actually an approved method for wire repair by GM and they come with the majority of pigtail connectors.

[Draker]

I can say they worked great for mocking up the KA harness. They will be removed soon though and properly cut and secured.

[don51o]

"Scotchloks" IF they're the correct size and the pigtail is secured to the wire being tapped. In an emergency