Date:         Tue, 10 Sep 2002 11:45:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: wiring harness restoration
Comments: To: Scott Wilson <smorewhisky@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20020910160729.90470.qmail@web21007.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

If you want a like new, then I suppose you could make up a new harness,
assuming you use the same type (stranded, not solid) & size wire.
(automotive hardware, not home hardware!)  Ring terminals & such can be
recrimped with the right tools but I don't know how easy it would be to
redo other pin/socket connectors.  Overall, it sounds like a big
undertaking.  Probably unnecessary.

How bad is the existing harness?  Does "beat up in spots" mean bare wire?
Is the insulation hard & cracking (bad news)?  Is the copper wire itself
broken or frayed?

If the wire isn't actually broken and there are only a few bad insulation
areas, I'd consider wrapping individual wires with good tape & then
restrapping back into the harness.  Will look cruddy but it's workable as
long as you catch all bare spots.  You can then wrap overall, or better,
find flexible tubing or similar products to cover sections exposed to
wear, heat, etc.

Broken wire can be crimped back together using insulated barrel connectors
(sized per wire size) and/or you can crimp in replacement sections as you
already suggested.  I personally wouldn't mess with solder.

//Jack


On 10 Sep 2002, at 9:07, Scott Wilson wrote:

> i've got a spare wiring harness sitting around, it is
> pretty beat up in spots. i don't know too much about
> electrical stuff, so i was wondering...is the wiring
> the same as stuff i could get at the hardware store?
> could i re-do all the wiring with new stuff supposing
> i use the correct gauge? or should i just cut out the
> bad spots and solder and shrink those areas? thanks
> for any ideas...
>
> =====
> Scott Wilson
> 85 GL Westfalia
>
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