Wiring up instrument displays - tiny screw terminals

[roblpm]

Wiring up some new to me old stowe displays.

They have 5 tiny screw terminals on the back. Each one is supposed to take 2 wires, in and out as it is a bus system.

Its nearly impossible!

I was thinking if i could find a tiny bullet crimp or something i could crimp the 2 wires and then just screw the crimp in, but i cant see an obvious crimp with a tiny end, say only a couple of mm!

Any ideas??!!

 

[elton]

Tin the wire ends to make them easier to push in.

 

[salar]

You could go to a fishing tackle shop and buy some copper rig-making crimps. These are 1mm bore or less and crush with pliers. You may need to trim them shorter after crimping. Various sizes available, the ones designed for wire trace will be too large so ask for the rig making crimps.

 

[superheat6k]

Google 'Bootlace ferrules'. For the very small ones you don't need the crimp tool - a nip with the end of the pliers does the trick. For larger (above 1.5mm) the crimp tool folds the end as it crimps and gives a better grip.

 

[GrahamHR]

Or use a single wire at the instrument , attached to the 2 wires using one of those gel insulated type crimp connectors that BT use. I bought 10 on ebay, the seller sent me 100 by mistake but didn't want me to send them back.

 

[elton]

No need for gel insulated type crimp connectors, bootlace ferrules, copper rig-making crimps, or anything like it. Simply tin the ends and push them in. The wire will remain virtually the same thickness, but it'll be rigid. A five second job.

 

[roblpm]

Thanks all. I will try tinning the ends but once i have done that i don't think they will fit!! So bootlace ferrules or similar may be the way forward! Ridiculous l

 

[nigelmercier]

Are these any good?

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/stdvb1-18/blade-contact-terminal-red-19a/dp/CN11385

I'm about to buy some, so could post you a few.

 

[elton]

Thanks all. I will try tinning the ends but once i have done that i don't think they will fit!! So bootlace ferrules or similar may be the way forward! Ridiculous l

Tinning only requires wetting of the copper with molten solder, so the increase in thickness will be negligible (not even measurable by conventional means) if it's done properly.

 

[Billjratt]

Are you using the correct gauge of wire? It's only signal - no amp-carrying capacity required. The stuff I use is VERY thin, quite delicate in fact.

 

[nigelmercier]

Are you using the correct gauge of wire? ...

I once contacted the technical department for one of my instruments to query why their specified "0.5mm" wire didn't fit their terminals. It turns out that in Australia they measure wire by the diameter, not the CSA. I assumed it meant 0.5mm².