After market add ons - connecting to existing plugs made easy (molex et al)

[rrolff]

Found these cool little connectors at Radio Shack - which seem perfect for many mods / add-ons...

I had a connector I wanted to get at in the back hatch for 12V ACC power. The problem was the wire was tight, so I didn't want to cut it to get at it.

There are connectors all over the car plugging wires to wires. These can allow you to get at any of the pins at the connector points - very handy.

RS makes these things called "insulated crimp on pin connectors" 5 each 22-18 gauge and 16/14 gauge. These connectors crimp on, and on the other side is a round small piece of metal - maybe the size of a 14 gauge wire - but ridged and strong.

What I did to get to the power pin in my rear camera mod was find a power source (blue wire to rear wiper is ACC power). You then take the RS connector, and modify it. I grinded off 1/2 of the metal to make semi-circle - then I pushed it into the back of the point I wanted to tap. It fits snug and tight - hence we have a good connection into the connector. I then pushed hot-melt glue into that connection to hold it (reversible - you can always remove it if needed).

It seems like an easy way to get at signals (nav upgrades etc).

I *would not* use this method for anything requiring real power (an audio amp or 120VAC inverter come to mind). But in low power applications (like my rear cam - or a navi signal mod), it's easy...

TTFN!!!

[RadioZero]

link?

[hotbrass]

You mean something like Invisicord:

Invisicord Products Home Page

I also made up one of these this last weekend to install my radar detector using the rear view mirror wire harness as a source of power.

[rrolff]

Originally Posted by RadioZero

link?

Insulated Crimp-On Pin Connectors (10-Pack) - RadioShack.com

The link - they come 10 to a package... Worked like a charm (and $1.99)