Quality Electrical Installs Start With Quality Tools & Wiring

[Geronimo John]

BLUF*:  If you are just starting to look at DIYing Oliver electrical projects, and are not experienced with major electrical surgery, then I suggest reading further.  

As an Oliver DYI guy, I have relied heavily on more electrically inclined owner's guidance and suggestions.  This forum has been invaluable in planning and execution of the installation of my Houghton, Battleborns, Victron 712 Smart, DC to DC Charging, and 3,000 watt inverter projects to name a few.  A common thread of each of these projects have been the use of electrical cable, lugs, and specialized tools. 

As a Mechanical Engineer, I have always purchased very high quality tools and materials for my mechanical efforts.  But for electrical efforts, I was far less informed.  Frankly, my electrical hand tools were junk, my electrical lugs were Chinese Junk, and my hammer actuated lug crimper was not up to the task either.  Worse, I would not know a quality cable if you hit me over the head with it.    

Then came Ollie.  I knew I wanted my Ollie DYI efforts to be first rate and I had to learn about electrical tools and materials.  But that process took a lot of time and effort.  So good choices were made only because I listened to the DYI Owners who had already plowed the path.  But what I did not really understand was why the high quality (and expensive) electrical components they recommended really do justify the higher costs.    

So, for the new to the DYI Oliver electrical system upgrade team, the below rather long winded video will fill in some of the voids. 

Shameless Plug:  I do highly recommend and use:  Kline Tools, Blue Sea Systems (anything) and BatteryCables USA (Pure Copper Cables, Lugs, Heat Shrink) 

GJ

* NOTE:  Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

 

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

John, the Marine Corps put me through nearly a year of training (AE A & AE B) to become an aircraft electrician, and I continue to learn from great posts like yours.  Thanks and keep them coming.

[Dave and Kimberly]

   I agree completely GJ!    My specialty is making furniture and I've found over the years quality tools are nearly always the best way to go.   Typically they are expensive for a reason.   Quality materials... quality tools and some quality skill sets!    The young man in the video is a bit long winded... but one can tell he knows what he's talking about.     I can do some simple wiring, but while I recognize good work when I see it, I am a bit intimidated by doing some of the projects I hear others taking on.   I'm sure I could do it once I set my mind to the task... but I'm not there yet.

    I hope someday to install a dc to dc system so that I can utilize charging benefit while driving from point A to B.   I seem to remember JD doing something like that and if I remember correctly it had the main component installed on the Oliver... and not in the truck, which makes a lot of sense to me.    The advantage being that the capability stays with the Oliver and not the tow vehicle that is likely to get traded out at points in the future.      

[Ty J]

https://www.batterycablesusa.com/

If your not as patient as me in making cables. Battery cables usa is a wonderful resource. Im redoing my electrical in oliver with a vicrtron lynx distributor. 

Check out this great manufacturer at fair prices and USA made. Very High quality.

Agree totally!