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Kmmkristin · 03-24-2023, 06:43 AM

We bought a new propane alarm to replace one that died. There are two plastic pieces that plug together to make the wires connect. The problem is I have no idea how to secure the wires into the fitting. Seems there’s no way to access the metal parts to crimp the wires in. The propane alarm is for a Winnebago Vista LX 36 Y. 2016. The alarm is a Safe T-Alert by propane alarm. I’ll try to attach pictures in a bit.

Kmmkristin · 03-24-2023, 06:53 AM

K7JV · 03-24-2023, 07:08 AM

It looks like the wires were both forcibly pulled out of the connector, as you can see where the metal contacts had been crimped onto the wires. The metal contacts have a couple of "wings" that barely extend out on the sides of the connectors so that when they are inserted into the nylon housing far enough to be fully inserted, the wings expand out to keep them from pulling back out. (You can see those wings on the attached product image). To remove them requires a tool that is essentially a tiny tube that you push over the connector and it pushes the "wings" in, to allow it to be pulled back out of the connector.

I don't know if your connector is specifically a Molex product, so the attached links may not be a fit for you. But that is how they work.

Alternatively, you could purchase some small wire connectors from a local automotive parts house and just put a connector on the four wire ends you will have when you cut off the mating connector. Just be sure to match positive to positive and negative to negative. It would be a good idea to put a female on the positive coach wire and a male on the negative coach wire, and vice versa on the detector. That way you won't have exposed metal that could be shorted to any ground source when they are disconnected.

https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Rem...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.com/Molex-Female-...662874&sr=8-42

Kmmkristin · 03-24-2023, 09:34 PM

Thank you so much. This makes sense. Odd thing is new alarm did not come with another connection attached, so who knew? The journey continues. As a newbie I am so grateful to find such a wonderful RV community. Can’t wait to get to know more of you!

K7JV · 03-25-2023, 07:01 AM

Very good, "Kristin"

If it were me, I would probably opt to just get a package of male and female connectors from AutoZone, O'Reilly or NAPA and a stripping/crimping tool if you don't already have one, and just go that route. Going with plug sets like the Molex is a bit of an overkill, and like you said, the new one did not come with the mating connector. So I'd opt for easy, over "pretty".

Match the males and females up so you can't accidentally connect positive to negative and negative to positive. And select so that the positive on the coach side doesn't have bare metal exposed that can cause a short to ground.

You'll be good to go. Enjoy that coach, and come back to IRV2 often. There's tons of help here from guys and gals that make my expertise look like kindergarten level!

Cheers and blessings!

Steve-W · 03-25-2023, 07:29 AM

Without the proper contact removal tool and crimpers you will not be able to reuse the existing connector. Stop at at your local Home Depot or similar and pick up a package of Wago Lever nuts connectors. You strip the wires insert push the lever down and done. Easy to remove wire in the future and will not come loose in an RV environment. They are available in 2 sizes, 2-5 slots.

K7JV · 03-25-2023, 07:34 AM

Times two, Steve! Those are great connectors for that sort of application. Brain-fart on my part for not thinking of those. I'm too "old", I guess, and still "lost in the 60's". Too many years of the old school ways. I bought a large assortment of those in a divided tray pack, a few months back, and they really are great to have on hand.