CrimpTool Emerald

[Mark One]

are crimp tools really meant to be £90 to £130???!?!?

Currently trying to find a suitable crimp tool for my Emerald ECU Kit.
The plug emerald use is made by a company called AMP (32pin)
The Connectors (pins) used are Tyco Econoseal PN-345150
Emerald recommend a crimp tool made by ABIKO - the DRB 0115 and the cheapest I've found that is circa £130

Do I really need to spend £130 on some glorified mole grips? Is there a cheaper alternative that will still do a good job?

 

[Mark One]

Got an email back from tyco who suggest using a crimp tool PN 91583-1......quick google and it's $400!!

Would something like this be any good? these are non insulated terminals for a Loom plug.
http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/746

Really appreciate any help on this

 

[f0xy]

have you got a picture of the crimps/connector?

 

[Icarus]

Yes that's how much a reasonable crimp tool will cost. The Dies need to be very accurate and the ratchet set correctly to apply an even clamping load and ensure the stability of the crimp.

My AS crimping tools were £600!!

The tool you've posted above will probably crimp them well enough. It'll just be made of chocolate and you might do a few duff ones if the jaws move relative to each other.

Cheers
M

 

[Tom]

I don't suppose people hire these things out?

 

[activ]

This is the tool I used to install my Emerald ECU works fine.

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/proper-crimping-tool--crptl-81-p.asp

 

[Mark One]

Pics of the Emerald Connectors
Pic1
Pic2

Pic of the connectors in the deutsch IPD DRC plugs that I want to use on the bulkhead
Pic3

I've looked into renting, it's not a common thing and it's just as hard to get the right thing. Also I'd rather have my own.

The above CBS one looks ok. It's good to know that the cheaper alternatives work ok. Thanks.
Also worth a mention - It's annoying that emerald only supply just enough terminals for the connector.....could've thrown in a couple more for practice!

 

[Icarus]

The cheaper alternatives don't work okay. Just because its squeezed the terminal doesn't mean it's a good crimp! Proper ones are expensive because they are calibrated to apply exactly the correct amount of force when crimping - you can't exactly calibrate a pair of pliers which is what the cheap scissor type ones are!

If you're going to pay low volume costs for a DRC connector then you might as well just chuck an AS connector in for the bulkhead. It's a much nicer looking bit of kit for a start!

Emerald don't supply just enough. Tyco do. You buy the 36 way Amp connector as a kit.

Cheers
M

 

[Mark One]

ok, I'll get the cheaper ratchet type tool i think given that. I've quickly realised doing a bit of research that crimping seems to be quite an exact science and I can't afford the proper tools!

I seem to remember being quoted around £30 for a DRC connector set for the bulkhead.
Here's a quote I've had for AutoSport connectors

Hi mark the closest we could supply you would be a 39 pin Autosport connector .



176.00 for the plug side



162.00 for the bulkhead side.

Cheers gary

Think I'll pass on those thanks

 

[Icarus]

But as AS connectors are entirely reuseable and all you need are fresh pins its very easy to source both high and low density AS connectors from mil surplus and ex pro race car looms.

No one who doesn't need brand new AS connectors buys brand new AS connectors!!

And yes crimping is a very exact science - which is why I get annoyed by some of tuner market banging connectors together with pliers!!!

Cheers
M

 

[powey]

Is no-one local to you mark who deal with emerald on race cars?

 

[Icarus]

I am, and I've probably got some 36 and 55 way AS connectors spare!

Cheers
M

 

[Mark One]

Just had a reply from Servo-Interconnect RE a bulkhead connector for my engine loom

40 way plug:
1 off DRC18-410SA-P013: £17.623 each, ex stock.
40 way flanged receptacle:
1 off DRC12-40PA: £13.458 each, ex stock.

Think I'll go with that, Unless icarus fancies doing me a deal on a 36 way Autosport plug+socket?

Powey, Yes, I reckon theres loads of specialists round here (I'm 3 miles from Silverstone) but I need my own tools for it really. If I borrow/rent tools and rush it, I'll only regret it and need more time. If that means that I can't afford the perfect tool for the job, nevermind! I'm not spending £100 on a glorifed set of mole grips:rasp:
Cheers

 

[powey]

Would this not be a fit and forget job though? Perhaps worth buying a crate of cans for one of the teams lol and get the mechanic to do it, and do it right

 

[Keith185]

It's incredibly important to crimp all connectors properly (seen people use pliers/side cutters and even a hammer and chisel :S)

You kind of quickly learn how important it is to crimp cables when a few hundred amps go though them

Sure somebody could lend you what you need or do it for you

 

[Mark One]

I spose with some very carefull planning I could have it all mapped out and crimp and connect up in an afternoon. Maybe I'm over-estimating the amount of alteration I'm going to be doing with the loom further down the line.
Decisions!
Icarus, fancy parting with some AS connectors? I'm keen to get my order in on these DRC connectors.

 

[Whiteley]

Mark, get me on msn sometime. I'll send you my Mac crimps down to lend, use them for pretty much all non-insulted terminals at work, ECU plugs, CAN wires etc. If the boss is happy with us using them on a 150k crop sprayer then they'll do just fine on your Clio

 

[Icarus]

I'll see what I've got in stock. What do you need in terms of pin count etc.

Cheers
M

 

[Mark One]

I'll see what I've got in stock. What do you need in terms of pin count etc.

Cheers
M

Upwards of 36pins. 39 or something would be ideal. Havent got a fotune to spend mate

I think the VAG loom is around 16 AWG?

 

[Icarus]

Doh meant to PM and posted. Mark check your PM's.

Cheers
M

 

[murcod]

Icarus is 100% correct with all he's said- I'm an electronics tech and work on aircraft for a living. All aircraft connections are crimped and I've had a lot of training in crimping connections correctly.

You can buy "universal" tools that will do those crimps satisfactorily, I've got this tool http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TH1950&CATID=29&form=CAT&SUBCATID=674 with the optional dies to suit uninsulated terminals http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TH1957&CATID=29&form=CAT&SUBCATID=674 and it appears that would do the job.

It's nowhere near as good as a genuine AMP crimping tool, but if you're careful there would be no long term problems with the resulting crimp connection. It's certainly better than using a non ratcheting tool or pliers :nono: