"These things are a treat to use. I'll never solder or crimp
again if I can help it. I'm going to add a few of each
size to my on-the-road tool kit and stock some in my
garage. Feel free to quote me." Posi-Lock user "P.M." (More
comments below)
Electrons and
me just don't get along... I'm not sure why, but I just
never got the hang of working with electricity.
I have
one of those fancy digital thingies with a complicated display
that supposedly allows you to see if there are volts or amps
or something flowing through wires, but I've never quite
figured it out nor trusted what it's telling me -- probably
because I wouldn't know if what it shows makes sense or not.
But motorcycle ownership seems to require both mechanical (I'm
OK with that) and electrical maintenance skills. I seem
to always find myself needing to, at the very least, splice
wires together for auxiliary lights, horn relays, LED brake
lights, and more.
I always figured soldering was the
best solution for motorcycle wire splicing; I figured that a
decent soldered connection will keep the wires connected even
after years of motorcycle vibrations.
There are numerous problems with soldering though -- it's a pain to
get out the soldering iron, heat it up, make the proper
connections, and not fry your circuits, other wires or your
fingers. I also usually end up with a messy looking
connection and some melted wire covering.
I recently tried using those wire twist caps like they use for
household wiring. They seem to hold two wires together
pretty tight, and if you wrap electrical tape around the cap
and wires, I'm guessing they will hold pretty well.
But I figured there has to be some new, modern technology that
works better and makes the task of wire splicing easier.
And while browsing the aisles of the local auto parts store recently, I found it.
"I tried the Posi-Lock connectors and
agree completely with you. They are pure magic at
fastening wires... " Posi-Lock user "J.S." (See
Below)
I bought a
handful of these Posi-Products Products, Inc. "Posi-Lock"
connectors on a lark to see how they would work, and I have to
say that they meet the need!
It's such a simple
concept -- you unscrew the two threaded ends from the central
connector and insert the wires, screw them back on and you're
done! (See Photo 1, below).
The central barrel-shaped connector has a metal conductor
running through it, and when you screw on the ends, the wire
is forced against the metal to make the connection. You
do have to strip the ends of the wire first to make this
work.
Note that Posi-Products also makes the Posi-Twist Connector (see
photo 5 & 6). But I use the normal Posi-Lock
for splicing up to 3 wires and it seems to work fine.
Photo 1: Strip wires
and insert into the threaded ends.
Photo 2: Screw in both ends.
Photo 3:
Simple, secure and they can
be re-used!
Photo 5: Don't forget Posi-Twist
Connectors, also useful for
splicing two or more wires
together!
The Posi-Lock Connectors make wire splicing
a cinch, and the connection the Posi-Lock
makes is really solid. I connected 3 18-guage (pretty
thin stuff) wires together with a Posi-Lock
and pulled on them just as hard as I could and they did not
budge.
The two cone shapes inside the Posi-Lock Connetors lock
the wire end in a vise-type grip giving it high pull strength.
Also, the design locks the threads to make a vibration proof
connection, which is crucial for motorcycle use.
I originally
thought to put a drop of blue Loctite on the threads to make
sure they stay tight, but this is not necessary; in fact,
reader "J.A." advises against using blue Loctite on any plastic
parts; he notes that it has been linked to cracking and
failure of polycarbonate windshields and other acrylic
parts.
The threaded connection on the Posi-Locks is
tight enough that no thread locker is needed. I've never found one loose
in all the years I've been using them!
I like the Posi-Lock connectors
so much, I decided to get a bunch of them in different sizes
so that I'd have them when I needed them.
They come in
sizes to fit anything from a 6 gauge to 24 gauge wires.
For motorcycle use, the 18-24 gauge and 12-18 gauge
connectors will probably be all you'll need.
Also, the folks from Posi-Lock
mentioned that several manufacturers use these connectors as
OEM equipment on some automobiles; Bosch uses the ultra high temp
Posi-Lock
for their Universal Heated Oxygen Sensor, and VDO supplies the
Posi-Lock
with their 5" Tachs.
I'm not sure why, but the Posi-Lock and Posi-Twist
Connectors are not easy to find in your local hardware store.
The Posi-Lock
"Assortments" are probably the best bet for
motorcyclists; they contain the most common types of
connectors you'd need for working on your bike (or car).
wBW
Video of the Vice Grip and Quik Strip Wire Strippers
and Posi-Lock Connectors
Posi-Products also makes the Posi-Twist
non-inline connector; the Posi-Tite
weathertite connection; and the Posi-Plug
for custom wiring harness connections.
As I mentioned
above, they also make a special connector designed for
splicing more that two wires; it's called the Posi-Lock
3-Way Connector,
although I've had great results with the standard Posi-Lock
for splicing up to 3 wires.
Note on
recommended Posi-Lock selections to order for motorcycle
use:
The
Posi-Lock 08-24 Gauge 26 pc Assortment, with 24 per
package, Product # SK0824
Posi-Twist
& Posi-Lock 10-26 Gauge 30 pc Assortment, 24 per
package, Product # PTL1026-30
These
kits will give you a great assortment of Posi-Lock and/or Posi-Twist
connectors with a variety of sizes that come in handy for
motorcycle use!
UPDATE: More Posi-Products have arrived, including the Posi-Twist;
here
are some photos and a quick demonstration of using the
Posi-Twist connector.
By the way, all of the Posi-Lock
products are reusable, vibration proof and can
be used at high temperatures; they meet the following SAE
standards:
Suggested Retail Price: $1.99 for pack of 2; significant quantity
discounts with 10 or more. Made in: U.S.A.
Posi-Tap connectors now make it just as easy to tap into a hot
wire! | More Posi-Lock
products, including the Posi-Twist;
here are some photos and a quick demonstration of how to use the
Posi-Twist
connector.
Please
send
comments to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be posted. Posted comments may be edited.
From "I.H." (3/09): "At -25
Deg F. (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Posi-Lock is
simple and easy to reconnect lighting wires on
my trailer units. They are subject to
corrosion so use a coating to keep out the
salt/calcium/water."
From "C.G.": "I got
tired of having a big knot of wires every time I
spliced several together, so I got the Posi-Lock
assortment and Posi-Lock terminals. They allow
me to check out things before running all the wires
and then having then fall apart prior to soldering and
not knowing if the connections are right or not.
NO soldering, no twisting and no knots. Good
product."
From "R.K.": "I had
seen the Posi-Locks at auto stores prior to reading
your review months ago. I gave them a try
because like you I spend way too much time cussing at
electrical connections.
I recently revisited
your review and was delighted to see that they have
added additional products to their line.
Specifically I was looking for a 4-wire disconnect for
the in tank fuel pump on my '94 Ducati.
A
damaged power lead to the connector cause the pump to
fail, so I was in search of the perfect connector to
replace the POS OEM one... These connectors
ROCK!!! What would once take all afternoon to do
a simple (for some) wiring job (with questionable
crimps/solders), now takes minutes. BTW, they
ARE reusable. I add a little dielectric grease
to the middle barrel for additional peace of mind."
From "L.F.": "Simply
put-I decided to try these because of the review
posted here. I wanted to use them when I installed by
rear brake modulator...outcome...a neat and simple
install. A great little product-thank you for writing
about them."
From "J.S.": "I
tried the Posi-Lock connectors and agree completely
with you. They are pure magic at fastening
wires. Like you I dread using those crimp on
things. No matter how hard I try they come off,
or I cut the wire in half with the crimping
tool.
By the way, I found a waterproof version
that I used to relocate the rear turn signals on my
2002 Honda spirit 750. They have a two piece
rubber cylinder that you slide over the wire before
striping the wires and screwing them together.
Then you slide the two rubber pieces in place and they
lock together. Having gown up in southern Iowa,
I really questioned the invention of these being in
Southern Missouri :) but that's another story."
webBikeWorld visitor "P.M.": "I went into my local Napa shop but they had never heard of
Posi-lock. I showed the kid behind the counter the
printout I made from the Posi-lock website that listed Napa as
a distributor and he did one of the most surprising things
I've seen lately.
He was interested enough in his job to
actually go to the Napa inventory PC site and look them
up!!! He offered to get me the sizes and quantities I
needed and I picked them up this afternoon. Nice.
These things are a treat to use. I'll never solder or crimp
again if I can help it. I'm going to add a few of each
size to my on-the-road tool kit and stock some in my
garage. Feel free to quote me. Thanks again for the
tip."
I like the Posi-Lock connectors
so much, I decided to get a bunch of them in different sizes
so that I'd have them when I needed them.
