Almost an Electric Fire!

[TungstenBeer]

Don't crimp on solid core wire. Doesn't make low-ohm connections and you'll probably end up letting the smoke out of your brewery.

Like I said - I don't.

 

[passedpawn]

Like I said - I don't.

Got it. I quoted you, but I was really just agreeing.

 

[trimixdiver1]

I fully agree with this, but generally speaking there seems to be some disagreement about solid core wire. For me, when I look at a proper crimp with stranded wire, I don't see any way that a solid wire crimp could be crimped properly.



My friend continuously offers his romex 14/2 (solid) to use the interior wires for the couple control panels I'm working on, and for some reason he's always miffed as to why I'd rather spend the money for stranded wire instead. I will use it when the connection I'm making requires no crimp, however (although I never use the bare ground wire).

Easy, look up the crimp terminal specs, if it's rated for solid you good to go. If you can't find the specs, don't use the connector.

 

[Bensiff]

Got a brew in this weekend with the repair done, yes crimped stranded, yes in cheap Amazon connectors, yes with my crappy crimp tool. Yes I gave it a solid visual inspection and a firm tug to make sure it was secure. I shut the system down a few times mid brew and checked the wire to make sure it wasn't heating up. All was well with the world, and will be more so in a year or so when the lambic I brewed starts getting blended.

 

[trimixdiver1]

Got a brew in this weekend with the repair done, yes crimped stranded, yes in cheap Amazon connectors, yes with my crappy crimp tool. Yes I gave it a solid visual inspection and a firm tug to make sure it was secure. I shut the system down a few times mid brew and checked the wire to make sure it wasn't heating up. All was well with the world, and will be more so in a year or so when the lambic I brewed starts getting blended.

Your the one who had an electrical fire and asked what could be done to prevent it. We told you and now you give us attitude? Glad to see you didn't have another issue. Good luck. Bye

 

[The_Bishop]

Got a brew in this weekend with the repair done, yes crimped stranded, yes in cheap Amazon connectors, yes with my crappy crimp tool. Yes I gave it a solid visual inspection and a firm tug to make sure it was secure. I shut the system down a few times mid brew and checked the wire to make sure it wasn't heating up. All was well with the world, and will be more so in a year or so when the lambic I brewed starts getting blended.

Here's what's going to likely happen:

The crimp may feel secure now, but as it heats and cools during cycling, it will (via expansion and contraction) get looser, which will lead to the connection developing higher resistance. This will continue to cycle until you're back where you started, if it doesn't burn your control panel.

 

[Bensiff]

Your the one who had an electrical fire and asked what could be done to prevent it. We told you and now you give us attitude? Glad to see you didn't have another issue. Good luck. Bye

I only asked for another opinion about the cause. That wasn't attitude, perhaps a touch of sarcasm given the page of discussion about crimping solid core wire. Yes, I know I didn't use ideal tools as you all recommended. But they can still get the job done if you pay close attention to what you are doing and inspect the job before throwing it into service.

 

[trimixdiver1]

I only asked for another opinion about the cause. That wasn't attitude, perhaps a touch of sarcasm given the page of discussion about crimping solid core wire. Yes, I know I didn't use ideal tools as you all recommended. But they can still get the job done if you pay close attention to what you are doing and inspect the job before throwing it into service.

Like you paid close attention to the crimp that failed right?

 

[passedpawn]

Like you paid close attention to the crimp that failed right?

Cut it out. You give advice here, people don't have to follow it.

 

[trimixdiver1]

Cut it out. You give advice here, people don't have to follow it.

Ok

 

[Bensiff]

Here's what's going to likely happen:

The crimp may feel secure now, but as it heats and cools during cycling, it will (via expansion and contraction) get looser, which will lead to the connection developing higher resistance. This will continue to cycle until you're back where you started, if it doesn't burn your control panel.

I did crimp the living bejesus out of the repair given the circumstances, probably damn near clad the copper to the lug . But, a quality set of crimpers and perhaps those screw connect lugs are going into my Amazon for my next order. Then I will go back through and fix things properly so it doesn't do as you said over time.

 

[trimixdiver1]

I did crimp the living bejesus out of the repair given the circumstances, probably damn near clad the copper to the lug . But, a quality set of crimpers and perhaps those screw connect lugs are going into my Amazon for my next order. Then I will go back through and fix things properly so it doesn't do as you said over time.

Cool

 

[Bensiff]

Got my ratcheting crimpers, now need to go through the panel and redo some wiring on my next brewery maintenance day.