MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - insulated (spade) connectors

I've run out of the insulated connectors I bought years (decades?) ago and wonder if anyone knows of a supplier of good quality insulated, mainly spade, connectors?

The last lot, very small quantity, I bought a few years ago and didn't find to be very good so just used to make up test leads or thew away.

I'm not so keen on the non-insulated type as they're not so easy to fit in situ as they need more room to crimp and fit sleeve - but - I might also consider buying a ratchet non-insulated crimper if someone can recommend a good one that's not expensive.
Nigel Atkins

Hi Nigel

have you considered the ones that are soldered on? I found these to be more reliable (although more of a faff of course)
Bob Beaumont

Hi Bob,
thank for your reply, I did consider those but the two soldering irons I have aren't powerful enough, certainly not to use outdoors (I've not got the luxury of a garage) plus as you say more faff, plus the faff of getting shrink wrap on and shrinking it.

And then there's the the debate that solder joints can be more brittle and crimps are often preferred. :)

Often there's just not the space to work with in situ and to disconnect other joints might be difficult and even more difficult to reconnect them because of previous owners' (or professional "experts") previous work on the wires.

I might do a small rolling restoration of previous wiring work but I already resent the amount of time I spend on the car that isn't just driving it.
Nigel Atkins

In my last job, we used a lot of insulated terminals, mainly from RS Components. You probably have to buy in quantities of 100 though.

I did buy some from Halfords to use in an emergency, but they were junk. The metal was too thin and they deformed in the wrong way and wouldn't stay attached to the wires.

They do get a bad press, but as with most things, it comes down to quality of the item and there are some poor quality ones on the market.
Dave O'Neill 2

Hi guys,


Try Beal UK, I get all my stuff from them, good prices and speedy service.


https://www.beal.org.uk/



Steve Smith Midget 1500

i have bought from a few places all seemed ok

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/

http://www.polevolt.co.uk/

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60-Blue-Red-Spade-Terminals-Male-female-crimps-ASSORTED-INSULATED-TERMINALS-/261474759028?hash=item3ce11c3174:g:r5MAAOxy0bRS-~fF
mark 1500 on the road Preston Lancs

How about AES (Auto Electric Supplies)? I intend to use them for components for the wiring loom I intend to construct.
Bill
Bill Bretherton

Maplins sell them in small quantities.
Bernie Higginson

Hi Dave,
RS is local-ish to me, a friend of a friend worked there and gave my friend some items out of the “recycle” skip (usual company PR and lip service to waste management) which my friend easily repaired and used.

I don’t mind buying a 100 of each as I usually give stock of various things away as I have too many (and often end up with none when needed).

Thanks.
Nigel Atkins

Cheers Steve, Mark, Bill and Bernie

Plenty to go at there.

I usually like to try to see the connectors as some have the writing on which might mean a bit more effort has been put into their production (or it might not!?!).

I did note that Beal quote a couple of BS Standards (and not just the ones for having forms that get filled in rather than followed).

I might even keep a few spare connectors for headlight relays :D

Thanks All.
Nigel Atkins

Hi Nigel,



I buy all my fittings from Beal. But mostly use the lucars and seperate sleeves fitted with a proper crimping tool, they look so much better!



Their bullets and snap connectors are good quality as well, proper brass ones that solder well.
Steve Smith Midget 1500

Try Screwfix. Cheap and good quality in my experience.
Simon
Simon Wood

Hi Steve,
I agree some non-insulated makes can look better but fully insulated if fitted well can also look good plus as I put they're a lot easier to fit to a very short tail of wire in situ.

I might still get both type of fittings and treat myself to another ratchet crimper for the non-insulated.
Nigel Atkins

If you can wait you get a good selection of those sort of items at the Birmingham Classic Car Show in November.
Graeme Williams

Hi Graeme,
I took my list last year and failed to get most of what I wanted by did buy a couple of things I didn't really need.

Every time I bought something I'd find exactly the same thing on another stall later but at a lower price or I'd not buy it and when I went back it was gone!

I did notice most of the stalls seemed to be selling the same budget make of tools (can't remember which but it wasn't Silverline).

I remember a few years back going round and almost all the tools were metric!

I try to get around on the Friday as I can't take the crowds so it's by far the best day to be able to actually walk the aisles and look on the stalls (and see the show if you want) but I can't go early as we're still setting up at our club's stand until late morning, my wife is one of the admin officers (my words) or chief moneygrabber (a former organizer's description) and it's dangerous for me to wander off without her as I wouldn't find anything and quickly get bored and return or get totally distracted.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 22/09/2016 and 23/09/2016

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.