How to remove wirenuts on a motorhome lamp

[Saliandra]

I would like to remove and spray paint a hideous lamp in my motorhome. I feel stupid, but how do I remove the wirenut? I would like to reuse them if possible, but they don't seem to screw off like most wirenuts. They do look different from the wirenuts I am used to, so what am I doing wrong?
Sally

[sundancer87]

Those are crimped on so you will have to cut them close to the terminal. Reinstall the wires with the screw on type of wire nut.

[Saliandra]

Originally Posted by sundancer87

Those are crimped on so you will have to cut them close to the terminal. Reinstall the wires with the screw on type of wire nut.

Gotcha. Thank you.

[W4MBG]

and then use some good electrical tape (scotch 33+) to wrap the wire nut in the direction to prevent the nut from backing off.

[VSPA]

Originally Posted by sundancer87

Those are crimped on so you will have to cut them close to the terminal. Reinstall the wires with the screw on type of wire nut.

Originally Posted by W4MBG

and then use some good electrical tape (scotch 33+) to wrap the wire nut in the direction to prevent the nut from backing off.

One of those old dogs do learn new tricks items. I've been using wire nuts for years, but I had an electrician tell me last week not to pre-twist wires prior to inserting into wire nut and I'm a strong believer in taping wire nut after tightening.

[Perry White]

You haven't figured out why it was crimped instead of a twist on wire nut?

[Paul R. Haller]

Originally Posted by mustang652

One of those old dogs do learn new tricks items. I've been using wire nuts for years, but I had an electrician tell me last week not to pre-twist wires prior to inserting into wire nut and I'm a strong believer in taping wire nut after tightening.

Sorry... your electrician is wrong. Even first year apprentices know to make a good mechanical connection before twisting on the wire nut. If the wires are stuffed into a wire nut, the inner wires surrounded by outer wires could easily pull out.The inner wires if not twisted are only held in by friction while outer wires have a bite on them by the wire nut. As conductors are worked buy passing current through them they can expand and contract. Copper tends to be fairly stable but aluminum conductors expand rapidly. Mechanically fasten all conductors and when in doubt or the use of aluminum conductors, use split nuts and dielectric grease instead of wire nuts.
-Paul R. Haller-

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Paul R. Haller

Sorry... your electrician is wrong. Even first year apprentices know to make a good mechanical connection before twisting on the wire nut.
-Paul R. Haller-

I wondered about that but might her electrician be suggesting that she shouldn't tightly twist each of the two wires being joined before twisting them together? I didn't articulate that very well so hopefully you'll get what I'm trying to say.

Rick

[Perry White]

Residential electricians rarely twist the wires. Haven't for years.

NEC does not recognize pre-twisting for wirenuts, but it does recognize it for soldering and in Western Union connections.

[Saliandra]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Would it be best to get crimp-on wire connectors and use those instead? Are those somehow better in an RV? For instance, are they safer with regard to possible water leaks?

[tncruiser]

Originally Posted by Saliandra

Thanks for the tips everyone. Would it be best to get crimp-on wire connectors and use those instead? Are those somehow better in an RV? For instance, are they safer with regard to possible water leaks?

they are cheaper and faster on a production line almost never used in repair or reinstallation.
small appliance service tech 40 years
brianj

[Saliandra]

Oh okay. Good to know. Thank you.

[wa8yxm]

Regarding pre-twisting.. I suspect that's the difference between stranded wire and solid wire.

Reference why crimped instead of screwed on.. Well it is not a wire nut, it's a crimp connector, they cost less don't you know, and they come loose real fast if the wires are not the same size or the crimper did not do it's job properly.. Yes, that's how I know, had to re-do several on this motor home.

I keep wire nuts in stock by the way, much better in my not very humble opinon.

I also have a nice heavy duty soldering gun.

[Midniteoyl]

.

Originally Posted by Paul R. Haller

Sorry... your electrician is wrong. Even first year apprentices know to make a good mechanical connection before twisting on the wire nut. If the wires are stuffed into a wire nut, the inner wires surrounded by outer wires could easily pull out.The inner wires if not twisted are only held in by friction while outer wires have a bite on them by the wire nut. As conductors are worked buy passing current through them they can expand and contract. Copper tends to be fairly stable but aluminum conductors expand rapidly. Mechanically fasten all conductors and when in doubt or the use of aluminum conductors, use split nuts and dielectric grease instead of wire nuts.
-Paul R. Haller-

Also, electricity is conducted along the outside of a wire and good contact is must or the joint heats up. I always pretwist both solid and stranded.

The reason for the crimp instead of twist was already mentioned - twist can come loose. Especially on stranded wire.