Need Electrical Smart People

[Bernie]

Okay, I lied... It was tucked up under the bumper.. Jordan it is the same as you have in your picture, but my bumper covers the 4pin part. Now I opened the Cap that is on it, and it looks like it is filled with dirt and grime...

So what is the best way to clean this.. some Air pressure and Q-tips.. and Electrical contact cleaner I assume?

And Next question... Should I go ahead and hard wire or just do the 4pin..

Me, I'd use the hose to flush out the dirt and any salt that might be in there, then blow it out with air and follow up with a shot of electrical cleaner.

As for which way to hook up, I'd go with the 4 prong plug, since that does not compromise the wire insulation and keeps everything sealed.

Nothing a little solder and heat shrink can't fix

Heat shrink isn't waterproof though, water can and will wick along the insulation under the heat shrink, and these connections will be at the worst possible point, in terms of dirt, water, salt, etc splashing on them.

Now, if it really was my truck, and I absolutely had to hardwire it, I'd use true waterproof "T" splices, but those are difficult to find, and expensive when you do find them.

The dual layer heat shrink, with the inner layer being glue that melts is water proof...

That's the same way the waterproof "T" splices work, and you didn't say what kind of heatshrink in your post. In any case, you'd still have to tee into the wire, and getting heatshrink to seal around that would be difficult. Much easier to use a tee and just plug into it.

 

[drperry]

Okay, I lied... It was tucked up under the bumper.. Jordan it is the same as you have in your picture, but my bumper covers the 4pin part. Now I opened the Cap that is on it, and it looks like it is filled with dirt and grime...

So what is the best way to clean this.. some Air pressure and Q-tips.. and Electrical contact cleaner I assume?

And Next question... Should I go ahead and hard wire or just do the 4pin..

Me, I'd use the hose to flush out the dirt and any salt that might be in there, then blow it out with air and follow up with a shot of electrical cleaner.

As for which way to hook up, I'd go with the 4 prong plug, since that does not compromise the wire insulation and keeps everything sealed.

Nothing a little solder and heat shrink can't fix

Heat shrink isn't waterproof though, water can and will wick along the insulation under the heat shrink, and these connections will be at the worst possible point, in terms of dirt, water, salt, etc splashing on them.

Now, if it really was my truck, and I absolutely had to hardwire it, I'd use true waterproof "T" splices, but those are difficult to find, and expensive when you do find them.

The dual layer heat shrink, with the inner layer being glue that melts is water proof...

That's the same way the waterproof "T" splices work, and you didn't say what kind of heatshrink in your post. In any case, you'd still have to tee into the wire, and getting heatshrink to seal around that would be difficult. Much easier to use a tee and just plug into it.

It's the only stuff I ever use

Those water proof T-s would be nice...

 

[Shanks12]

Okay, I lied... It was tucked up under the bumper.. Jordan it is the same as you have in your picture, but my bumper covers the 4pin part. Now I opened the Cap that is on it, and it looks like it is filled with dirt and grime...

So what is the best way to clean this.. some Air pressure and Q-tips.. and Electrical contact cleaner I assume?

And Next question... Should I go ahead and hard wire or just do the 4pin..

Me, I'd use the hose to flush out the dirt and any salt that might be in there, then blow it out with air and follow up with a shot of electrical cleaner.

As for which way to hook up, I'd go with the 4 prong plug, since that does not compromise the wire insulation and keeps everything sealed.

Yeah, I guess I will do that... I still have the other two wires that I have to hard wire. I've never had any experience with solder or heat shrink..

If I just use T-Taps (I believe that's what they are called) for the other two lines and then use electrical tape will that work??

I have my LOF plugged into the 4 pin and then electrical tape over the connection. Been through 3 winters and no problems.

That seems to be enough motivation for me to just plug it in!

 

[Mcdiver]

For marine applications, I strip the insulation back and then solder the wire on. After that, I coat the connection with dielectric grease and put the heat shrink over it. the grease will keep it from corroding. I rewired an entire saltwater boat like this 3 years ago and have not had any problems at all.

 

[Mcdiver]

if you just plug it into the flap 4 pin, make sure you clean it well and you can use the dielectric grease on the pins which will help keep it dry and corrosion free.

 

[Bernie]

If I just use T-Taps (I believe that's what they are called) for the other two lines and then use electrical tape will that work??

Will it work? Yes.

Will it work well? For a while.

Will it last? Nope.

After about 6 months the tape will be falling off, if not sooner, and if you used those cheap insulation displacement style of taps sold in most auto supply stores (the kind you put on with a pair of pliers) then water is going to get inside the wire insulation and corrode the wires inside, causing a host of weird problems down the road. In an exposed application like that I'd strongly suggest one of the methods we discussed above, that provides full protection for the splice from the elements.

 

[Shanks12]

If I just use T-Taps (I believe that's what they are called) for the other two lines and then use electrical tape will that work??

Will it work? Yes.

Will it work well? For a while.

Will it last? Nope.

After about 6 months the tape will be falling off, if not sooner, and if you used those cheap insulation displacement style of taps sold in most auto supply stores (the kind you put on with a pair of pliers) then water is going to get inside the wire insulation and corrode the wires inside, causing a host of weird problems down the road. In an exposed application like that I'd strongly suggest one of the methods we discussed above, that provides full protection for the splice from the elements.

Thanks for the info... Guess I better start learning how to use solder or a heat shrink...

Or where can I find the Waterproof T's you were talking about...

 

[Bernie]

If I just use T-Taps (I believe that's what they are called) for the other two lines and then use electrical tape will that work??

Will it work? Yes.

Will it work well? For a while.

Will it last? Nope.

After about 6 months the tape will be falling off, if not sooner, and if you used those cheap insulation displacement style of taps sold in most auto supply stores (the kind you put on with a pair of pliers) then water is going to get inside the wire insulation and corrode the wires inside, causing a host of weird problems down the road. In an exposed application like that I'd strongly suggest one of the methods we discussed above, that provides full protection for the splice from the elements.

Thanks for the info... Guess I better start learning how to use solder or a heat shrink...

Or where can I find the Waterproof T's you were talking about...

I usually buy 'em in bulk on eBay, but a good marine supply would have 'em.

 

[Shanks12]

If I just use T-Taps (I believe that's what they are called) for the other two lines and then use electrical tape will that work??

Will it work? Yes.

Will it work well? For a while.

Will it last? Nope.

After about 6 months the tape will be falling off, if not sooner, and if you used those cheap insulation displacement style of taps sold in most auto supply stores (the kind you put on with a pair of pliers) then water is going to get inside the wire insulation and corrode the wires inside, causing a host of weird problems down the road. In an exposed application like that I'd strongly suggest one of the methods we discussed above, that provides full protection for the splice from the elements.

Thanks for the info... Guess I better start learning how to use solder or a heat shrink...

Or where can I find the Waterproof T's you were talking about...

I usually buy 'em in bulk on eBay, but a good marine supply would have 'em.

Well.. I may have to look into that... See if I can find store around me.. This weekend is the only chance I'm gonna have to get it done for a long while, so buying online won't work..

 

[Shanks12]

okay this may sound stupid.. but Looking online how to solder.. Can I just use a lighter (the jet flame type, not just regular flame type if you know what I mean) I don't have a solder gun or access to one. I seen a couple videos on YT with using a regular lighter, but I just wanted to ask the professionals instead of a YT video..

Also, instead of heat shrink, can I use liquid electrical tape?

Not really looking for an easy way out, just trying to get the facts before I attempt this... Or with a heat shrink, can I use a lighter for the heat, since I do not have a heat gun..

Again, I've never attempted or been around solder or heat shrink