Preferred Connector type for added accessories

Looking for what others prefer for weather-proof connector types when adding electrical accessories.

I have used Deutsch connectors in the past but they can be a pain to disconnect for servicing in my experience. I have also used 9006 connectors but that only offers 2 pins.

I would like to keep it budget friendly and easy to use, some connector types seem to be pretty labor intensive and require a number of special tools. Not looking to go aircraft grade with cannon plugs everywhere. haha

 

Deutsch connectors, every time. with the proper tools depinning is easy.

 

Copy, thank you! I have used those in the past and I didn't mind them too much. Just wonder if there was better or more user friendly. I was looking into Metri-Pack as well but I haven't worked with them before. I do like the size of the Deutsch connectors more though, more compact!

 

The single most important factor is current rating. For example Metri-Pack 480 is 48A, Metri-Pack 630 is 46A, Metri-Pack 280 is 30A, weatherpack is 25A, Metri-Pack 150 is 15A, Amp superseal 1.5 is 14A. It’s mainly about pin size rather than wire size since both the 280 and 630 accommodate awg10 wire. Smaller connectors have smaller pins and have lower current ratings as a consequence. ATO/ATC fuses go up to 40A while Mini/Micro fuses only go to 35A. Micro/Mini fuses use the same 2.&mm pins as 280 relays which are also limited to 35A. A decent stripper and crimper will make wiring so much more pleasant a task, especially if you’re adding an auxiliary panel and the number of circuits they permit.

Current rating is the critical factor in choosing accessory wiring/connectors,

 

All of that makes perfect sense! I would like to keep the project low cost, but I'm also not cutting corners. I have it narrowed down to Metri-Pack and Deutsch connectors. But shopping for them is a bit tedious, many of the sites that are difficult to navigate and can be overwhelming with the options available. I currently have no plans to have anything requiring over 15A, though I will likely try to use 10awg wire from the relay/fuse to the accessory to avoid any voltage drop. I'm sure that will change in a few years, maybe when a winch or air compressor are added. But at that time I will just redo the whole accessory electrical system anyhow since by the time I get to that point I'll probably be adding a 2nd battery.

So far I'm liking this 6-way circuit breaker panel. I prefer circuit breakers so a handful of fuses aren't needed to be stored. Plus being an Aircraft Mechanic I am used to circuit breakers.

MICTUNING 6 Way Resettable Circuit Breakers Box, 100A Thermal Circuit Breaker Overload Circuit Protector Replace Fuse Box Holder with Waterproof Metal Nut Cover

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZRM89YK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=A15H3UKRB6RHF9&psc=1

EDIT: After looking over a wire amperage chart on Blue Seas it seems that 12 awg wire would probably be suitable for all my needs for a while. So that will probably be the route I go. Helps cost a little too.

 

I looked at the Deutsch connectors but couldn’t tell what the max current ratings were, some terminals said 13A and often on the same page said 25A. Just be certain you know which it is and why. Avoid putting a large awg wire into a terminal not sized for it. The crimp may not bite well and the danger is assuming a fuse size based on the wire gage when the terminals are the weaker link. Weatherpack is another option that uses the same wire seals as Metri pack but has integrated TPAs so there’s one less part to buy and come in 1-6 wire models at 25A. If you plan to install relays then I’d recommend either skirted with seals or flux tight relays, Ordinary unsealed relays seem to corrode inside very quickly. I think most would tell you not to plan for the winch as part of the system but to wire it separately straight from the battery. If you set it up well you might be able to leave it as is and simply connect another panel to the second battery for additional or separate systems.

 

Deutsch DTM Series:
This size 20 connector will accommodate wire sizes from 22-16 gauge depending on which contact is used. DTM connectors come in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 pin configurations. The maximum current (amp) draw on each pin would be 7.5 amps continuously.

Deutsch DT Series:
This size 16 connector will accommodate wire sizes from 20-14 gauge depending on which contact is used.. DT connectors come in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 pin configurations. The maximum current (amp) draw on each pin would be 13 amps continuously.

Deutsch DTP Series:
This size 12 connectors will accommodate wire from 14-10 gauge depending on which contact is used. DTP connectors are only available in 2 and 4 pin configurations. The maximum current (amp) draw on each pin would be 25 amps continuously.

 

Thanks, I really like their flange connectors, just couldn’t find a flat spot on the firewall to mount one through so I punched through under the driver’s seat to bring 4 x 10awg to the center console.

 

Careful with the McTuning fuse box. Had a different style and it still passed power without a fuse in. Always good to throw a multimeter (or at least a test light) on a box before installing it.

That’s assuming you didn’t test it already.

 

they have round ones too. I use them for everything, best connectors out there.

 

Thats what I found as well. It seems to me the Deutsch connectors are a bit more economical to the other options and I like the size of them as well. Especially when more than a 2 pin connector is needed. The 6 pin connectors (DT and DTM series) are quite compact and reasonably cheaper than the Metri-Pack (MP) and Weatherpack (WP) connectors. Deutsch connectors are probably the route I will end up going.

Another thing I like about them (deutsch) is that they generally come as a "kit" with all the terminals, seals and misc parts. Where as the MP and WP connectors are usually pieced together or quite pricey as a "kit". At least thats what I have found over the weekend. I don't mind piecing things together most of the time. But the sites used to order the MP and WP connectors are difficult to navigate and have quite high minimum quantity requirements. That makes small projects like difficult and more expensive than it needs to be.

 

Copy! Good to know! I will have to check that before I install it! I have a good 12v bench tester that I can use to ensure it works as advertised.

I do like circuit breakers though and other c/b boxes like this are quite expensive for a somewhat simple product. The only thing I can think of being sub par on this is the c/b's themselves which are replaceable. But being an aircraft mechanic we use c/b's on everything. If something goes tits up, fix the issue and reset the c/b. Thats what I like about them.

 

i find it still cheaper (if you need a lot) to buy them in pcs. i get them from waytek wire. you have to purchase each piece but generally works out much cheaper
also i used to use weatherpack, but switches due to having issues and how huge the plugs are.

 

Deutsch are good. So are Metripack. Weatherpack are OK connectors but IMO being round terminals (contacts) they end up a bit oversized for the task.

I'll throw out another options, Yazaki and Sumitomo. These are the OEM on Toyota so you can look like factory and you'll have the tools and spare parts to repair your truck harness, too.

https://www.corsa-technic.com/category.php?category_id=143

https://www.corsa-technic.com/category.php?category_id=54

These part numbers work a little different than Metripack, the series are based on pin pitch. The majority of connectors on our trucks are sealed or unsealed 090/090II/2.3II types. Interior connectors are sometimes 0.64/025 or 1.0/040 pitch and high current can be 187 series. I reckon the TS090/2.3II is probably the most commonly used.

 

Wow!!!I really like the Yazaki 58X connectors. Decent price too considering the quality! I also noticed the weatherpack connectors are cheaper there than other places I was finding them. Thank you very much for the links there!! I may have changed my mind yet again! haha Good thing is that this isn't something I NEED to get done soon so I have some time to decided the route I want to go.

 

Well here I am reading random threads and now I'm concerned. I'm planning on a light bar that pulls 16A, but reading the spec on Deutsch DT connector, it doesn't appear to be able to hold 16A, only 13A. The manufacturer specs 16A on the bar, and Deutsch DT as the connector. I have an email in to them, so we'll see what happens. Glad I stumbled on this thread.

 

Check out post #7 this thread. Deutsch DTP with the proper pins can do 25A continuous.

 

I saw that, but the manufacturer says they are wired with Deutsch DT. Perhaps it's a typo.

 

Now I get it. If so you may want to replace them with DTP’s. You can save the DT’s for something else that uses less juice.

 

this sheet says that is at 125C, or 257F. Maybe the light bar manufacturer is thinking they can get by since the typical light bar is running at half that.

https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/628276.pdf