Spade terminal for AWG 24 wire?

[nickelplate759]

I'm using AWG 24 CAT5e wire for hooking up my Tortoises, and to reach my (future) control panel.
I don't want to solder all my connections, 'cause I know I'll have to undo them sometime and soldering under the layout isn't my idea of fun.    I can find crimp-on fork spade terminals for AWG 16-22 pretty easily, but not for AWG 24.     Can I just use those and solder them on if crimping doesn't work, or is there a source for inexpensive spade terminals for this size wire?

[C855B]

Crimp connectors for smaller than #22 are special, and also need special tools for a good crimp. You can give it a try with the red (18-22) connectors, but you will definitely want to "tug test" the crimp before committing to the idea.

#24 and smaller are the domain of smaller connector systems such as the RJ series ("phone" and ethernet connectors). The common 1/4" crimp spade connectors you're thinking of need a fair amount of insertion and release force, and risk breaking wires when tugging to disconnect small sizes.

[nickelplate759]

I may have been unclear on the connector type I have in mind - it's the one that looks like a tuning fork (sort of), to go on a screw terminal.  Not the one that comes in male+female flavors.   Either way, I am NOT wanting to cause headaches later.  I can always just put the wire around the screw post on my terminal blocks.

[C855B]

Oh, that's much better. Go ahead and try it and see if it passes the tug test - not a lot of force, just enough to see that it stays put when you bump wires around. That's a reasonable use.

[peteski]

In a situation where the barrel of the crimp terminal is  designed for wire gauge larger than what I use I simply strip double the required length and fold the wire into a tight U shape before inserting the "U" into the barrel.  I then crimp it.

[davefoxx]

In a situation where the barrel of the crimp terminal is  designed for wire gauge larger than what I use I simply strip double the required length and fold the wire into a tight U shape before inserting the "U" into the barrel.  I then crimp it.

@peteski beat me to it.  So, what he said.

DFF

[DKS]

@peteski beat me to it.  So, what he said.

DFF

Too funny. I was about to do an illustration to show just what peteski described when I saw his post, which was then followed by DFF's.

[peteski]

LOL - this just confirms that we all had a good workaround which works for us!

[Point353]

I'm using AWG 24 CAT5e wire for hooking up my Tortoises, and to reach my (future) control panel.
I don't want to solder all my connections, 'cause I know I'll have to undo them sometime and soldering under the layout isn't my idea of fun.    I can find crimp-on fork spade terminals for AWG 16-22 pretty easily, but not for AWG 24.     Can I just use those and solder them on if crimping doesn't work, or is there a source for inexpensive spade terminals for this size wire?

Digi-Key stocks that type of terminal.
Single piece prices are on the order of $0.50 - $1.50 each and somewhat less in higher quantities as shown.
You can start here and use the various menus to select the exact part configuration you want:
https://www.digikey.com/products/en/connectors-interconnects/terminals-spade-connectors/391 
This is one example: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/te-connectivity-amp-connectors/52924/A27435-ND/298014

Mouser is another possible source: http://www.mouser.com/Connectors/Terminals/_/N-5g5u/

[davefoxx]

LOL - this just confirms that we all had a good workaround which works for us!

Here's another workaround for when your feeder wire is too heavy, especially in the smaller scales.  I like to strip the stranded wire, then cut out one-third to half of the strands to slim the feeder down, twist, and tin.  Bam!  Instant smaller gauge wire, perfect for soldering to the rail.

DFF

[nickelplate759]

I learned, yet again, that sometimes it doesn't pay to cheap out on inexpensive things.   I bought a bag of 300+ of these terminals, marked for wire AWG 16-22, through Amazon, from a company in China called UXCELL.   They are utter junk.  They metal is too thin, thickness is uneven, there are no ribs inside and they don't crimp reliably. They are also blue, even thought the AWG 16-22 size are supposed to be red.   


After throwing out about every other one I tried, and even then soldering to make them work, I gave up and bought a box of 100 different ones (properly red, by the way) from the local hardware store for $13.  They work wonderfully!


So - pay less than 4 cents for something that doesn't really work, or 13 cents for something that works every time...

hmmm...

[peteski]

I guess it is an example of you got what you paid for (even if the better ones were only few cents more). 
There are even better quality terminals out there. I think they are called heavy duty. they have an extra metal sleeve between the plastic sleeve and the crimp terminal. That makes inserting the wire easier and results in a better crimp. It can also be crimped 2nd time, closer to the end, to provide strain relief by crimping around the insulation.

[MK]

I get them from MBK whenever I place an order I throw some in.  They seem to work fine.