Crimped wire nuts

[browntown]

I saw some white translucent wire nuts at the store that look like they're made to be crimped vs the yellow/orange/red etc. twist nuts. I've never seen them in any junction box I've opened up. Are they considered inferior to the twist wire nut, or do electricians not use them due to convenience and cost?

Specifically, for inside an appliance it seems like a great option and I was thinking about buying some for my garage door opener where I connect the power leads from a new power cord. Both ends would be stranded copper. Pros/cons? What crimper does one use on these?

Back story why I got to thinking about this:

I'm replacing my garage door opener. Since the opener hangs 6 ft down from the ceiling, the stock cord doesn't reach. The original opener (installed before I lived here) had an old extension cord with one end cut off and then the wires connected with twist wire nuts inside the opener. I tried the same thing with the same old cord, but no power. My best guess is that the problem was the mismatched wire gauges and the huge molded wire insulation of the old cord somehow blocking a good connection in the twist wire nut. The wire nuts are undoubtedly designed for solid copper wire and these are stranded. I'm going to buy a replacement power cord that they sell for tools so I'll have (near) equal wire sizes at the connections.
Home depot cord

 

[mygarageone]

I think you are wasting you efforts , electrition have been using the standard wire nuts for yrs , properly installed you'll have no issues.
Those things are designed for vibration and inaccessibility , but if you want them , go for it.
Or way not just use a barrel crimp connection , it would serve the same purpose.

 

[The Engine Room]

I have only ever come across those inside junction boxes in electric motors. I always assumed that they were used for compactness.

 

[DenisG]

I think that wire nuts only refers to twist-on connectors. Although both types are "closed-end connectors", I just usually refer to the translucent ones as "closed-end connectors". Sometimes you can un-crimp them, but generally you have to cut them off. If wire length isn't a problem and you don't have to undo them often, they're probably your choice.
http://www.crowbarelectricalparts.com/categories/Closed-End-Connectors-{47}-Wire-Nuts/

 

[Aceman]

Use regular wire nuts. I've cut many of those crimps off you're referring too, just because there is no way to take the connection apart like a standard wire nut.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Crimp caps...I use them on low voltage audio and power connections.

 

[stealthmagic27]

Yeah same as jeffmoss, Ive used those in low voltage/audio applications and when doing vehicle electronics/audio systems. Use standard wire nuts.

 

[scoob8000]

Some of those have a crimp ring built into them like others said for automotive applications.

Some also just cover crimps like these:
http://www.westwayelectricsupply.com/10-311c-crimp-connector-copper-14-8-awg.html

You crimp the wires under the copper ring and the cover snaps over them. The only time I've used them is for connecting multiple stranded wires. The big downside is they are permanent. Your cutting the wire to ever change them.

 

[browntown]

Thanks fellas. I pulled out the wiring from the garage door opener and redid it with a new 16-3 power cord and nice new blue ideal wire nuts. Taped them too (sensitive subject) since it is a vibration prone enclosure.

Turns out the wire nuts weren't the problem. The first time I removed the motor cover I must have disconnected the control board by accident. Anywho, problem solved. Will experiment with the crimp nuts next time I do auto wiring but I'll stick with the good ole standby of ideal wire nuts for AC work.

 

[James-W]

I think they make a special crimping tool for those things, it is kind of like a "smart tool" in that it won't release until the crimp is done correctly.

 

[keelan]

Semi-related random anecdote: Years ago, probably early to mid 80's, a family friend was having a bit of trouble with the local building inspector, so when he wired his house, he soldered and taped every single connection -- valid at the time according building codes.

 

[G-force]

I used those for dead end wires or wires I plan to possibly use in the future. Crimp them to the jacket.