Electrical connector block for fuel tank

[sparkplug]

My original one was over enthusiastically removed by some very 'helpful' mechanics and I now have 4 x crimped bullet connectors which are a bit of a pain every time you take the tank off.

Any idea if / where I can get an original one from, and if not where I can get a suitable 4 pin replacement so I only have one thing to disconnect?

Thanks in advance

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

.... if not where I can get a suitable 4 pin replacement so I only have one thing to disconnect?

Thanks in advance

Weatherproof connectors about half way down

The connector on the tank will be simple enough to replace, but the connector near the frame/harness might be a bit awkward to do.... not impossible though.

 

[sparkplug]

That's exactly what I'm after - thanks Paul

 

[Fanum]

Special Uncle Fil......I had a similar dilemma, and I can recommend these:

Part numbers 0-011-54 and 0-011-64

They're IP67, are used on military vehicles and are idiot proof to connect together (slot in one side, can't mismatch)

I actually went for two lots of the two pin version for my replacement tank plug/socket, putting the male and female on different ways so it's impossible to connect the wrong way around, but making it slightly less fiddly to do.

0-011-54 is £3.30 retail +p&p
0-011-64 is £3.02 retail +p&p

I can send you one of each on Monday for a fiver delivered

 

[Ian J Hartley]

All very well and good but you may have overlooked the fact that these connectors (Amp Superseal 1.5) are rated at a maximum current of 14 amps.
The wire gauge range is between 20AWG (0.52sqmm) and 16AWG (1.31sqmm).*

The fuel tank wiring is 0.35, 0.35, 1.00 and 4.00sqmm respectively which means that the earth at 4.00sqmm is outside the range for this connector. You may not have problems if your wiring is good, but over time the earth contact will degrade and not be able to handle the current flowing through it. It may overheat and melt the connector, or worse.

If I was using that type of connector at that position, I would use a 7 way and divide the earth into 4 separate 1sqmm wires to ensure I maintained the design criteria for the wiring. It is a slightly messy way of doing the job, but a lot safer.

 

[ahutcheon]

Presumably the earth current is limited by the supply on the other three wires (total 1.7mm2), so only a little above the rating of the connector? And those supplies are fuel level sensor, low fuel light and fuel pump? The fuel pump ought to be sub 10A, the low fuel lamp no more than a couple of amps if the bulb current goes through it, and surely the gauge sensor is pretty high resistance so low current?

I'd have thought it would be fine in practice?

 

[The smudger]

Why not go to a BMW dealer and order a new connector?

 

[sparkplug]

Why not go to a BMW dealer and order a new connector?

Because it will cost a lot more than Fanum's solution

 

[Fanum]

Fil......What I'll probably do is send you the next size up, the 'Delphi' connectors

They are 2.8MM rather than 1.5mm connectors, but I'll phone Durite Tech up and confirm amperage ratings before I send them out

The only difference apart from the size is the Delphis come in 1, 2 or 3 way blocks so you WILL need two pairs, whereas the 'Superseal' ones I mentioned above come in up to 6 ways blocks, so you could either have two pairs of two and install them in oppisite ways to prevent accidental mis-connection, or have a single pair of 4 ways as I quoted above.

My fault for not checking the ratings first, so if it turns out you want to go for two pairs of 2 way Delphis, I'll do them for the same price

B

 

[sparkplug]

OK Bill - will take your advice on this. No probs giving you the right money for the Delphis if they are what I need. You're running a business at the end of the day

Will sort out via PM with you