Robert Sussex Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 Hi All. Just installing new wiring harness and bullets are very tight to get on and ever harder to separate. Somewhere in the distant memory banks I seem to recall reading the use of petroleum jelly on them. Is this 'Vaseline' and if so does it not cause a poor connection or is it conductive? Any advice or alternatives welcome. Many Thanks Robert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 For connecting them, there is a tool: Parting them, probably best to cut open the old femal part and get new, rather than pull on the wires! But, yes, vaseline is, allegedly, conductive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trchris Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 As John above I've a pair similar you can also use long nose pliers if your careful as well Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 Hi Robert/John, Petroleum Jelly and its derivatives are not conductive. When you push the bullet connectors together tey scrap some of the jelly away and make metal to metal contact. However it will keep moisture out of the connection and reduce corrosion. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 Thnak you, Roger, I'll belive you rather than the online 'authorities'! I fear that bullet connectors, a Lucas invention, are a major reaosn for the 'Prince of Darkness' reputation! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 If you are going to put petroleum jelly on bullet connectors , do it AFTER the bullets have been inserted. That way it doesn't interfere with achieving a good connection but will still help to stop moisture getting into the sleeve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikej Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 Carbon filled electrical contact grease, else copper loaded electrical contact grease (Farnell et al). Stress, "electrical contact grease", not copper-slip as used on wheel nuts and splines. MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 Mike, won't that risk short-circuiting the connectors, where they are double? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 I just push bullet connectors home with a small screwdriver, taking care to push the bullet not the solder or the wire. I have holes in my left hand as evidence. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 8 hours ago, foster461 said: I just push bullet connectors home with a small screwdriver, taking care to push the bullet not the solder or the wire. I have holes in my left hand as evidence. I got fed up with making holes in my hand and bought a pair of the specialist pliers. I agree, they are a bu88er to undo. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I crimp the bullets rather than solder This kit https://www.autosparks.co.uk/electrical-components/wiring-tools/small-bullet-crimp-set-with-tools Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 13 hours ago, john.r.davies said: Mike, won't that risk short-circuiting the connectors, where they are double? Double connectors are just that "Connectors" they are conjoined Unlike the separate connectors as used on older Jaguars etc.https://www.autosparks.co.uk/electrical-components/bullets-connector-sleeves/three-way-isolated-sleeve-connector Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 « I crimp the bullets rather than solder This kit https://www.autosparks.co.uk/electrical-components/wiring-tools/small-bullet-crimp-set-with-tools » On the reccomendation of Mr Wigglesworth and in his words ‘feeling flush’ I bought this kit a few weeks ago, which, although they don’t give them away, makes life a lot easier. I have now got rid of all those awful ultra-modern blue connectors and under the bonnet there is now a period look of Lucas bullets and sleeves. Next job, probably in the winter, is to reroute and tidy up all the wiring. james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Hi James and other interested folk, you must use the correct wire gauge for the bullet being crimped. If the wire is too big then it will not fit in the bullet end hole (fail safe) However if the wire is too slim then it will pull out after crimping. - always give it a reasonable tug after crimping. Another oddity that I have found with the bullet connectors - there is space inside the bullet for the wire insulation to fit - but, the crimping tool does not crimp the body onto the insulation to give added strength. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Owen Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: I crimp the bullets rather than solder This kit https://www.autosparks.co.uk/electrical-components/wiring-tools/small-bullet-crimp-set-with-tools This. I started replacing the wiring harness without this gear. The difference it makes and crimping the bullets makes it a breeze....if you exclude me trying to connect the right things together. Edited June 28, 2021 by David Owen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 1 hour ago, David Owen said: This. I started replacing the wiring harness without this gear. The difference it makes and crimping the bullets makes it a breeze....if you exclude me trying to connect the right things together. I removed all crimped connectors and replaced with soldered bullets. I think DIY crimping is not consistent enough and can lead to a resistance or open circuit , being difficult to find. As said Bullets can be difficult to undo after a time, and holes in hands are quite the norm! Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 5 hours ago, stuart said: Double connectors are just that "Connectors" they are conjoined Unlike the separate connectors as used on older Jaguars etc.https://www.autosparks.co.uk/electrical-components/bullets-connector-sleeves/three-way-isolated-sleeve-connector Stuart. That doesn't answer the question, Stuart! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I’ve mentioned my home made bullet press before, but in case anyone missed it here it is. £1 Car boot pliers and a quarter of an hour with a cutting disk. A lot cheaper than the commercial ones. Charlie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 27 minutes ago, john.r.davies said: That doesn't answer the question, Stuart! Sorry I dont understand exactly what your on about in that case. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 20 hours ago, john.r.davies said: Mike, won't that risk short-circuiting the connectors, where they are double? Hi John, there is some confusion here. There are single bullet female connectors - one wire in/one wire out There are also double bullet female connectors = two wires in/ two wires out - all four wires are shorted together. I went another step further and removed the insulation from four double connectors . I then enclosed them in heat shrink. If I did it again I would solder them together before the heatshrink. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Thank you, Roger! I was referring to the separated female bullet connectors. To smear a conducting grease on them would seem to risk a short circuit! That's what I was asking, Stuart! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Like this Or this Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 34 minutes ago, john.r.davies said: Thank you, Roger! I was referring to the separated female bullet connectors. To smear a conducting grease on them would seem to risk a short circuit! That's what I was asking, Stuart! John Hi John, the conductive grease is inside the connector - it can't touch others. Hi Pete, mine are bigger - 8 in/8 out Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Of course the answer is there is really no need to use conductive grease. Fit them dry and if you wish, back fill with petroleum jelly. ( I don't bother as I don't consider it necessary. After all, you don't grease spade connectors do you?) In terms of pliers, an old pair of wire-strippers ground down is ideal: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Thank you, Roger! Your greasing technique must as delicate as an opthalmic surgeon! In my hands it gets everywhere! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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