Quick splice; Scotchlok?

Smileysmile1 · 27 May 2020

Ok.
I've fitted 2 tone car horns in place of 1 tone horn on my Renault Kadjar. The factory horn is weak.
I'm attaching a photo of a waterproof scotchlok crimper connector which will connect 2 factory wires to new wires to horn. The car horn runs via 10 amp fuse.
My question is: does anybody know the gauge size of horn wiring I bought from halfords? I can't for the life of me tell which of these connectors will be correct size.
The reason for this type of connector is it seals the ends so no moisture can get to bare wire as connector will be behind grille.
Any alternative as its the only connection I can make as its limited space.

This one is particular good as it's an inline terminal connection.

JohnD · 27 May 2020

If you've got a soldering iron, you could put heat-shrink sleeving over the join, with no connector required.

mattylad · 28 May 2020

smiley, rather than us use our crystal balls to divine the size of wire from something we have no info on, how about you give us a link to the actual horn itself?
That way your question can easily be answered.

Burnerman · 28 May 2020

Not trying to sound negative at all but with modern CANBus wiring systems the body control modules - horn included - may not like the addition of accessories.
John

Smileysmile1 · 28 May 2020

Soldering, can't reach. Tried it. These connectors are the only way. Just don't know the size if ordering online.
Photos of horn and wiring attached.
Gauge of wires?

Burnerman · 28 May 2020

As the use of horns is very temporary the gauge of the wires you show in your picture are well up to handling the current involved.
John

Mottie · 28 May 2020

I would just use an ordinary scotch lock.

Smileysmile1 · 28 May 2020

John, yes I know but my OP I attached a photo of a scotchlok which has a gel to protect the wires from moisture. Because the horn is behind the grille its subjected to harsh weather so any exposed terminals and copper is going to corrode. This is why this type of connection is best compared to the normal scotchlok connector.
I never knew they existed until few days ago. I've emailed the suppliers for details but because of lockdown nobody has answered. I'm asking for some advice on these connectors before I purchase. Also what 'gauge' you think these wires I've attached to my horn are? They are .029mm strands x 14.
I've read somewhere to work out the AWG double the thickness then times the strands by the thickness. 14 (strands) x .029 + 0.29(thickness) = 8.1 (8 AWG?).
They are 8 amp electrical wires from Halfords. If I go online I need to know gauge of these wires so they fit snug in connectors. I'm throwing this out there so hopefully somebody might be able to give advice (if they have used these connectors before) point me in right direction. Thanks for all your input guys.

Burnerman · 28 May 2020

The wires you have attached to the horn will handle 8.5A continuous so for horn use they will be fine.
Ideally you need to know the current draw of the horn (hardly relevant really as its only used for a short burst anyway.) Then, you choose the next cable size up to be safe.
John

Smileysmile1 · 29 May 2020

Yes all the wires are good as I temporarily connected to original factory connector and horn works but I had to cut off factory connector and now need permanent connector which will protect the wires from moisture.
I thought somebody on here could point me in right direction to scotchlok connectors (attached photo above). I'm looking for right size connector with these wires I've connected. A normal scotchlok connector would be great but wires would corrode after a while.
The moisture protector is the gel inside the connector. Nobody seems to be able to help?
Soldering would be great but trust me you can't get a soldering iron in this space. I've had to buy 11" long nose pliers to squeeze down on these connectors once I've slid the connector over each wire.

Stivino · 29 May 2020

From what I can see, the cable on the new horn will be compatible with the connector you have shown. The wire from the loom of the car might not be as heavy but will probably be compatible with the connector, too.

Smileysmile1 · 29 May 2020

So this connector I've attached you think will be compatible with these wires? I can't work out the size of this connector. Most of these type are girls telephone wires. Most importantly they have gel in them to protect from moisture.

Smileysmile1 · 29 May 2020

Well I've done some research and ordered some dielectric grease which coats the exposed terminals which protects it from the elements and doesn't effect the current. So I'll use one of these connectors (attached photo). You can see by 2nd attached photo how space is tight on the wires I've got to connect too.
You can't strip the PVC so this connector will crimp onto wires.

Quick splice; Scotchlok?

Smileysmile1

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