Groovy Electrical Connectors

[rwsmith]

Well, dogs chewed through the cord on my lawn mower that went from the motor to the switch on the handle. I thought, "Better break out the wire nuts", but I didn't like the idea of using them in place where they could get pulled on. I found something better. Wago lever locks. Skin the wires, stick them in the ends and close the levers. Then tape up the whole works. They worked like a champ and did a neat job. They come in a variety of configurations, gangs, etc. and can take from like 22 to 12 ga wire. See pic. The top one has the little levers open.

 

[Imissedagain]

For outdoor use, Wago makes Gel waterproof connectors.
Not inexpensive.
We use 3M Lineman's tape as opposed to plain electrical tape.
If you have the tools and know how to use them correctly, high quality epoxy butt connectors are what we use. In the house, vehicles, power tools, and above and below the waterline on boats.
If regular butt connectors are all you have, after crimping, fill the ends with silicon.

One of my goto roustabouts, ABYC certified, FCC/Radar as well, said that regular butt connectors are okay above the waterline for boats.
"Cut them out and only use the epoxy ones, was my reply. Our work is beyond the ABYC guidelines."

I explained to companies like Dusky, Mako and others, that regular butt connectors, that they used to connect bilge pumps, not sealed or taped, failed quickly. They reimbursed the owners after we were paid.

Then there were new yachts with regular butt connectors, used to connect the propane solenoids to the wire from the breakers. They corroded away, during the crossings from Europe and South Africa.
Only downside, the crews ate cold food. Fun days at the floating office.

Loose lips sink ships, along with wire nuts on bilge pumps. Another fun day with a new 70' catamaran, built by the owner of a home construction company. Water was already at the salon floor, when I was summered to they boat.
They were hoping to break into the boating business, but pulled out of the Miami show.

 

[chief38]

I've used them a few times but in being an old fart that doesn't like change, I still gravitate to the good old wire nuts. I just feel the contact is better on the wire nuts. I also have a few thousand wire nuts in every size, type and color so I will never have to buy another electrical connector. I've done electrical work all my adult life and always bought them in bulk. I do still have a few of the Wago's too.

 

[SMSgt]

The simple butt splices, vinyl sleeving and sealant I used on B-52s lasted all the way to The Boneyard.

 

[jeffrefrig]

When I worked supermarket refrigeration, The circulating fans' motors would go bad quite often. They are located in the bottom of the case where the drain is. The drains clogged up with slime & other stuff. To keep the wiring connections as waterproof as possible, I/we would use crimped butt connectors and slid heat shrink tubes over the splice, which did a very good job of keeping them waterproof. I've heard a lot of heat shrink is used in automotive wiring repairs, also. I don't know if they hold up to salt water, but boat repair people should know.

 

[BillBond]

None of us old farts will use wagos at work.
The kids like them because they are fast.

 

[rwsmith]

None of us old farts will use wagos at work.
The kids like them because they are fast.

I like them because they are neater than wire nuts when the splice hangs out in the open. Also I didn't lose length that I didn't have because the wire that goes from the motor to the handle is only so long and I was missing a chunk in the middle. I don't think that they are faster than wire nuts, you still have to bare the wires correctly. The nuts twist on and the lever locks slip on. It wasn't a matter of speed.

 

[Jon651]

I've been using these for a few years now and have a stockpile of them in my shop. I particularly like them when I'm setting up my model train tracks, as I can split power feed lines to many different places on the track very easily, then take it all apart later just as easily when I'm done. They are also great for installing new ceiling fans, especially those with an in-line wireless remote receiver that has six or eight wires going in and out of it and very limited room in the electrical box.

 

[DWalt]

Never heard of those. Whenever possible I solder the wires and cover the joint with the black liquid insulation. I try to not use wire nuts except for joining small wires. Several YouTube videos about them, also Harbor Freight sells similar connectors for somewhat less than Wago connectors. Next time I am in Harbor Freight I’ll buy some.