Making Your Wiring Connections - Directed Electronics Automate AM5 Installation Manual

Making your wiring connections

Before making your connections, plan how your wires are routed
through the vehicle. In order to keep the wiring neat and make it harder
to find, you may wish to wrap wires together in electrical tape or con-
ceal them in tubing similar to what the manufacturer used.
There are two acceptable ways of making a wire connection - solder
con nec tions and crimp connectors. When properly performed, either
type of connection is reliable and trouble-free. Regardless of whether
you solder your connections or use mechanical type crimp-on connec-
tions, ensure that all connections are mechanically sound and insu-
lated.
Cheap electrical tape, especially when poorly applied, is not a reli-
able insulator. It often falls off in hot weather. Use good-quality electrical
tape or heat shrink.
• Never twist-and-tape the wires together without soldering.
• Never use "fuse taps", as they can damage fuse box terminals.
If you use tapping connectors such as T-Taps (not to be confused with
Scotch Locks), avoid using them in higher-current applications (constant
12V, ground, etc.) Some tapping connectors are inferior in quality and
should be avoided.
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