A local electrician gave me a jug of Ideal In-Sure Push-In Wire Connectors to use on my truck. They are rated to 600v and for current to current connections only and can only be used for copper wire. I did a little research about these and tried to find information about their use as automotive connectors and didn't find anything. The attractive feature with these is that when you push a wire into it, it will NOT come out.
I just used one to install a new license plate light and if there are no problems, these things will be way handy and I'll never use another sleeve or twist connector.
So far, so good...
These are also called thimble connectors, by the way.
So, I'd like some input: Good idea or am I missing something obvious. It is a home electric/electronic wire connector per the Ideal website.
Is there any reason I should not use them?

 

Water can get in them and play hell with teh conection. Heat shrink butt conectors are better. Solder and shirink tubing is best.

 

Ah yea not weather proof at all... They are for use in dry locations only. We have them at work and they have their purpose but other wise I hate them. Yea they are easy To use but IMO it doesn't provide a secure enough connection for me. You can pull the wires right out unlike a crimp style connector or properly applied wire nut. But these are not intended to be used in automotive/wet damp locations.

 

I always like to solder and heatshrink (in most cases) - but thats just me.

 

I have really nice butt connectors that have solder, crimp and heatseal/shrink all in one... They are expensive, but once heated you CAN NOT pull them apart. The wire will break before they will come apart.

Fastenal carrys the brand. I cant recall what the name is but...

 

I can handle the expensive part. It's having to do it over and over that wears me out. If you think of the name,hollar. Thanks!

 

i have only seen those connectors when installing lights, they are nice cause you can put them together quick, but i wouldnt use them where the weather gets at them, many companys make butt connectors with heat shrink on them, just about any brand will work fine, any auto parts store should carry them

 

Well, they're not only quick but the wires are actually visable because the casing is clear. It would be great to be able to inspect for corrosion etc without having to disassemble the whole connection. Oh, well. If it were easy, they wouldn't call it work. Thanks for the input!

 

There are only two acceptable ways of making a wire connection:

- solder connections
- crimp connectors

When properly performed , either type of connection is reliable and trouble free.
Just make sure that they are insulated regardless which type you prefer.

Cheap electrical tape is not a a reliable insulator- use shrink tube as often as you can.

I use only solder connections at work- if it is good for a missile, it is good for a truck too

 

I agree. I have already removed 1000 wads of electrical tape where the previous owner twisted and taped like a mad man.
I flew to Tennessee and drove this truck back to Texas. That previous owner picked me up at the airport in Tennessee, he was smoking a brown cigarette and had a huge chew of tobacco at the same time. He was calling his wife "Cuz". The tape should not have been a surprise to me.
I'm crimping and shrink wrapping...not brave enough to solder yet. I have the tools but lack the knowledge!