New Build, Electrical Supplies, Tools and Equipment

[Ejzajac]

Starting a new Mk5 build. Much of the electrical aspect of the build is new to me. Looking for guidance/recommendations.
- Butt Connectors....Combination crimp/heat shrink vs standard metal crimp with separate heat shrink vs newer solder/heat shrink?
- Waterproof/Deutsch Connectors for lights and others...Particular quality brands, style and total number probably needed?
- Relays...... Fan switch and seat heater switch?
- Harness Tape.... TESA
- Heat Gun.....Master Appliance vs others?
-Power Probe III for troubleshooting?
- OTHER Items?

All suggestions appreciated.
Ed

[edwardb]

Random responses: I'm not a fan of the butt connectors that come in the kit. I use other methods. Most of us use Weatherpack connectors for the lights and others. Widely available, relatively cheap. Make sure you have the proper crimper. Deutsch products are excellent, but I personally don't use them. The Ron Francis fuse panel has a relay for the fan. The usual seat heaters (CobraHeat) have relays and switches built in. How many relays you add depends entirely on your electrical setup. I've tried TESA tape. OK I guess. I have a DeWalt heat gun. Has worked fine for me. I have a Power Probe. Don't use it as much as I thought I would. A good quality VOM does most of what I need.

[Nigel Allen]

Skip the power probe. Instead, use the coin to buy a brand name multimeter and test light (with conventional bulb, not LED) like this:
https://www.sparesbox.com.au/products/oex-heavy-duty-test-light-acx6206?variant=45414366150915&country=AU&currency=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOooEjtTOWv8BsHm6MEFaZazjn5UBCtF6QWTOOA R7v_3HlEN0_pKnD84

A set of alligator clips is handy for the multimeter.

Ratchet type crimp tools are good.
Weatherpak connectors are more than adequate.
Keep in mind most cobras never get wet.

Good ground connections are important.

Cheers,
Nige

[cv2065]

Butt Connectors: Permaseal
Electrical Connectors: Weatherpack
Heat Gun: Harbor Freight
Electrical Tape: 3M Super 88. But I do try to use heat shrink on tubing instead wherever I can. Looks much cleaner.

[Mike.Bray]

You got this.

I have a hair dryer looking heat gun, probably HF, that has served me for decades. I also have this one for solder connectors that I really like a lot. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VFY8THD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

For butt connectors I like these https://www.mcmaster.com/products/electrical-connectors/wire-splices-connectors-and-taps~/heat-shrink-crimp-on-butt-splices~~/

And these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095P47Y8G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

As Nigel said a simple test light is about as handy as a pocket on a shirt.

Weather packs are great, just make sure you use the correct pins for the wire size and the correct crimpers.

And last, get yourself a bottle of this.

219439

[Rebostar]

I did not use the FFR supplied wireing harness except for the "headlight / front" section and the back half of the rear harness. I s#*t canned the RF supplied conduit and used high quality "Painless" conduit. I designed my own electrical system and used relays for most everything. Also no fuses, I used circit breakers. As mentioned above Summit sells several quality brands of weatherpac connectors in kit form. They also have high quality crimpers. You might concider getting a quality wire striper as well. You wont be able to do without a volt ohm meter and a cheap HF test light. Whenever you have to splice a wire, solder it and use heat shrink. Dont use any of the FFR butt splices or treminal ends. Buy the good stuff that has the heat shrink built in. I use a paint stripping heat gun from Ace Hardware.

Happy trails

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/kle-11063



https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900404

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-70970.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sng-18915

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-16765

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