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Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 9:03 am
by steveslowboy
I've used cheap heat shrink and the proper DR25; the expensive stuff is much more resilient to chafe-ing and cuts/damage.
I use glue-filled at junctions and connectors to help add strength and weather-proofing
I run seperate wires for each sensor/injector/coil etc and then join up the common 5v, grounds near the ECU location.
I work from the sensor end towards the ECU - as each "tail" joins the loom I then re-twist the whole lot.
I have used colours and plain white / black wire - it's just a case of keeping the ends labelled or spend ages buzzing through to identify each one afterwards.
For cable labeling, I use a Sharpie black pen on white heat-shrink, and then clear over the top - might invest in a proper label maker for the next loom I make.

(Each time I make a loom, I learn more and make a better and neater job).
Good luck.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 11:16 am
by katana
I got one of those DYMO lable makers - worked great, nice and neat until I put the clear heatshrink over the labels, then they all turned black with the heat DOH! I like the sharpie on white though - bit labour intensive but if it works!

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 2:55 pm
by stevieturbo
Mine was a cheapish Dymo labeller.

Then bought some D1 heat shrink tube label rolls off egay. I got black on yellow, but no doubt there are other colours. They seem to do various tube diameters too, I got some 5mm, 7mm and 11mm. The 7mm seemed to be the most useful.

Then the clear heatshrink over the top. So far no issues. This is with the label over the braid or normal heat shrink, think that was the 7mm tube and 9mm high lettering. It can do 12mm lettering too, but it would have been too big.
D1 label.JPG
This was the 7mm tube label

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331801819512? ... EBIDX%3AIT

This is the printer itself

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Dymo-Labe ... SwWxNYuFll

I bought the printer years ago so no doubt there are better or other units available today that can do a wider range of text options. And equally the cartridge listed is for that printer, but just for reference.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 4:18 pm
by Roger
Awesome how many tips you give me for making the loom! This will be very helpful for me. I will start collecting all the stuff I need.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 5:22 am
by katana
Good call Steve - didn't even think about DYMO making heat shrink tube ! Have to get some and give it a try as I hate buzzing loose wires.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 8:14 am
by Alex DTA
We use a similair machine for our looms. It makes life much easier.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 10:22 am
by stevieturbo
katana wrote:Good call Steve - didn't even think about DYMO making heat shrink tube ! Have to get some and give it a try as I hate buzzing loose wires.
I only found out about them a few weeks ago when someone on a US forum mentioned it.

I'd never have thought you could get such a thing....nevermind a heat shrink version !

My label printer only offers a single row of text, I'm sure there are others that might offer a double row which would allow more writing within the same label length.

For individual wires the 5mm tube label isnt bad, think that's the smallest they do, although it wouldnt be too often to need to label individual wires.

I just bought one of each of all sizes just in case, the 11mm is defo the biggest that would ever fit in my label printer, but that will easily accommodate a god few wires inside it.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 4:43 pm
by SMR
Does anyone have any advice on twisting up the CAN wires?
Previously, I've used the drill method for Can Hi and Lo going from the ECU to the dash - but not specifically used a shielded twisted pair.
Is there a recommended spacing/twist rate for the CAN signals?
Cheers
Steve

PS - I got a dymo printer and the heat-shrink black-on-yellow tube; and it produces a very nice professional finish. Covered in clear heatshrink. The 9mm seems the most useful, and my printer does double rows so you don't have to abbreviate the wording so much.
The sharpie-on-white works well, but the printed ones are so much smaller and easier to fit on short tails.

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:54 pm
by stevieturbo
Link ecu mention this in their instructions

"The two wires of the bus must be twisted together with a rate between 33 and 50 twists per meter. (20mm to 30mm between twists)"

Whether that is generic, or just for theirs etc etc, no idea.

I'd say a drill twist will do rightly that isnt causing the wires stress. If it's just for a dash, it wouldnt be super critical as if it was something sending vital signals to the ecu for example.
And even then, probably depends on the environment around it

Re: Loom building tips and tricks?

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 3:29 am
by SMR
Thanks for the info Stevieturbo