Insulation Breaks/Repairs

2510Paul · Dec 9, 2013

I am working on a 40+ year old tractor. The wiring is pretty intact but the insulation is a little brittle. If I break the insulation from over bending is there a good way to repair it? I cannot slip a heat shrink over the end as the end is buried. Electrical tape usually does not stick well and sometimes it is tough to have enough room to unroll the roll. Thanks. Paul

David G · Dec 9, 2013

You are best to just get a replacement harness.

waltdavies · Dec 9, 2013

Look on the net, new harnesses and new wire are all available look just like the old stuff but a lot better.
Walt

Chris(WA) · Dec 9, 2013

Brush on electrical tape works fairly well.

old · Dec 9, 2013

Most tractors the wiring is very simple and I just replace wire for wire and be done with it. Most you have maybe 5 wires to deal with.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 9, 2013

Every now and then we hear about fires started by old tractors that was started by electrical problems, mice chewing on the wires and so on. If the insulation is that bad that it crumbles off, time to replace the wire. None of my tractors has the original wiring on it for just this reason...

onefarmer · Dec 9, 2013

I have used electrical tape with liquid tape over the top with good success.

showcrop · Dec 9, 2013

I understand that you don't want to get to involved for one break in the insulation. Is there room to cut it and put in a butt connector?

D beatty · Dec 9, 2013

The best way is to replace it but to get by find a good grade of electrical tape and wrap then to seal it from moisture use liquid tape.

Geo-TH,In · Dec 9, 2013

Paul, Electrical fires on old tractors are common. Remove the battery. Replace wire asap. I use old extension cords to wire lights. The cords have a nice heavy insulated protection. I also have a box of used wire from scraping out riding movers, washers, dryers. That wire comes in handy when I need a heavier wire. You may need a new wire for the starter.

Why buy new wire when used will work?
George

NoNewParts · Dec 10, 2013

field repair
put that modern split corrugated plastic wire protector
over all of the brittle wire you can get at, then tape over that.

like the other guys, I just replace the wiring on old tractors.
don't like fire
make my own harness, cheaper
If the old wiring is that brittle, the conductor inside is probably a green mess. changes resistance

Insulation Breaks/Repairs

2510Paul

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

waltdavies

Member

Chris(WA)

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Brian Jasper co. Ia

Well-known Member

onefarmer

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

D beatty

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

NoNewParts

Member

Similar threads