# Posi-Lock Connectors: Fabulous or Fad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 20, 2019, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885 "2019-02-20T10:57:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Goggles03](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Goggles03](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goggles03)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/1 "2019-02-20T10:57:06Z")
I’ve seen a few of [these](https://www.posi-products.com/)connectors lately, and wonder what everyone thinks about them. I’ve connected wires using crimpers for decades; are Posi-Locks better? What’s the prevailing opinion on the board? DP ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/2 "2019-02-20T12:55:27Z")
I never have used this particular brand but have tried other similar products. They are ok for some applications and make hot splicing a snap. They are however, very bulky, so space can become an issue. I never liked the way the contact knives cut into the conductor… minimal, I know… but a good place for a future failure, especially if vibration is present. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/3 "2019-02-20T13:57:12Z")
I’ve only used the tap connectors for installing automotive items. Never had a failure that I can remember. For inline connections I’d use the crimp connectors with the heat shrink plastic tubing incorporated. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/4 "2019-02-20T14:37:41Z")
Solder and heat-shrink for me, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/5 "2019-02-20T14:46:55Z")
I used them to install heated grips on my motorcycle. Made the connections very, very simple. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/6 "2019-02-20T15:12:29Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Solder and heat-shrink for me, thank you. This. I’ve never had any crimp-type connector that lasted. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/7 "2019-02-20T16:12:36Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Solder and heat-shrink for me, thank you. How do you feel about [Soldergrip](https://www.alliedelec.com/product/te-connectivity/cpgi-cwt-9002-bulk/70066602/)? Or is that what you meant? ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/8 "2019-02-20T16:39:57Z")
I’ve used the Posi-Tap connectors on my low voltage deck lighting. They are easy to install and work well, but they DO pierce the insulation to make the connection, though I haven’t had a failure from pierced insulation connectors in years. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/9 "2019-02-20T16:46:21Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > How do you feel about [Soldergrip](https://www.alliedelec.com/product/te-connectivity/cpgi-cwt-9002-bulk/70066602/)? Or is that what you meant? I haven’t used those myself, but the concept seems fine. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/10 "2019-02-20T18:26:15Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > How do you feel about [Soldergrip](https://www.alliedelec.com/product/te-connectivity/cpgi-cwt-9002-bulk/70066602/)? Or is that what you meant? Great little goobers there. Ma Bell and/or Western Electric has been using them for decades. I first ran into them about 35 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/11 "2019-02-20T20:04:36Z")
I have to wonder how many of the respondents actually looked at the item in the OP? It is not a crimp connector. It does not have any knives that cut the insulation. I would not advise trying to make a “hot splice” with them. These are characteristics of the Posi-Tap, which is a different connector from the same company. I have not used the Posi-Lock, but if they were available and I needed to splice two braided wires, I would prefer them over either the “metal tube” crimp connectors or the clam-shell locking connectors. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/12 "2019-02-20T22:58:23Z")
[Moderating] Asking for opinions goes in IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/13 "2019-02-20T23:50:50Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > This. > > I’ve never had any crimp-type connector that lasted. +2 ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/14 "2019-02-21T04:17:00Z")
I always prefer to solder. My equipment is all mobile and exposed to the outdoors. Plus 30 to minus 30 C. But something that is stationary and in a controlled environment can last forever with various crimped connections. Always consider the conditions of the application. Oxidation and corrosion seep into non soldered connections. Thermal cycling can open a connection. Soldering makes a continuous connection. It can be corroded externally. But is immune to most other problems. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/15 "2019-02-21T04:32:22Z")
Looks like an over-priced/over-complicated wire nut. Never heard of them. Not impressed. See post #4, and pay close attention to the Avatar. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Goggles03](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Goggles03](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goggles03)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/16 "2019-02-21T11:12:18Z")
An interesting number of opinions about something as simple as joining two wires. I am installing wiring on my motorcycle, so vibration and outdoor exposure are issues. I agree that heat shrink over whatever connector you use is most important. I use the lined heat shrink that fills the interior to prevent moisture intrusion. Every junction I make has this heat shrink on it. As to crimping vs soldering vs Posi-Lock, it sounds like a preference issue. I’ve never tried Posi-Locks, but they look easier than crimping. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/17 "2019-02-21T15:15:30Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > I have to wonder how many of the respondents actually looked at the item in the OP? > > It is not a crimp connector. It does not have any knives that cut the insulation. I would not advise trying to make a “hot splice” with them. These are characteristics of the Posi-Tap, which is a different connector from the same company. I did, and even though they don’t technically crimp, I don’t see a big difference between them and crimp connectors. They rely on the forced contact of the wires alone. Looks like you could still pull the wires out, maybe? They are glorified wire nuts. I could see the joint failing over time, either through corrosion or simply the wires pulling apart. I’ll still solder anything on my car rather than use these. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/18 "2019-02-21T16:32:59Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > I always prefer to solder. My equipment is all mobile and exposed to the outdoors. Plus 30 to minus 30 C. But something that is stationary and in a controlled environment can last forever with various crimped connections. Always consider the conditions of the application. Oxidation and corrosion seep into non soldered connections. Thermal cycling can open a connection. Soldering makes a continuous connection. It can be corroded externally. But is immune to most other problems. There’s nothing inherently wrong with crimped connections. A properly crimped connection doesn’t allow for any movement. It’s a metal-to-metal contact. Connectors are crimped on to wires in all sorts of applications, including aerospace and automotive applications. Our group uses [mil-spec connectors with crimped pins](https://www.milnec.com/mil-spec-connector-learning-center/mil-spec-crimping-instructions/) all the time on sounding rockets (basically repurposed missiles). ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posi-lock-connectors-fabulous-or-fad/829885/19 "2019-02-21T18:43:59Z")
I see lots of opinions from people who never looked at one before and don’t know how they work. They’ve been used in motorcycling for years (read: a very high-vibration environment) and they don’t fail unless installed incorrectly. I’ve seen photos of failed and melted connections, and in every case they were not tightened. The central connector has a metal connection. The nut on either side holds the wire in place and screws in very tightly. Watch the video [Overview of Posi-Lock Connectors - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yiimgl-Rdmw)