Low voltage wiring ,keeping it neat/getting a clean install/components for

[atvalaska]

Wire nuts are out ! What have you found for making a clean set up ? I have wires running to 4ways, outdoor resets, zone valves , actuators ,relays, thermostats .... some stuff daisy chains together,, well it just looks like chit.. There has got to be some decent buss bars/ terminal blocks out there, I hunt around on the web /in town I find few items boat stuff/120v stuff and pricy .

 

[rkusek]

scrap yard if you want to go cheap. they let me take a couple junk ac home units. I stripped one down to just sheet metal and condenser then plumbed it for hot water to heat my barn. I stripped off numerous buss bars, relays, and contactors before junking the rest of it. That thing will crank out some serious heat when you run the fan. It puts out enough to heat the barn with just water circulating through it.

 

[jebatty]

I usually avoid wire nuts for low voltage. When at all possible I splice, solder and cover the joint with shrink tubing. Neat, clean and positive contact.

 

[maple1]

I've done some wire nutting, but it was when joining multiple things and I put it inside a junction box. My last 24v thing I did, just last weekend actually, I did as right above & soldered/heat shrank. First time I did that - gotta be kind of careful & steady when soldering, and plan your heat shrinking out (right lengths/size of tubing, and where to put them when you're soldering). I have also used some of that split flexible tubing/protector stuff (used mainly for trailer wiring), and put multiple runs inside one piece of tubing where I could - that also helps clean things up quite a bit. I still have stuff going everywhere though.

 

[varadhammo]

If you're connecting stranded wire and don't want to solder, I've found these Posi-Twist connectors work well, anyone else used these?

http://www.amazon.com/Posi-Products...TF8&qid=1422457362&sr=8-1&keywords=posi-twist

Another option for solid core wire is the Scotchlok crimp connectors, you need slip joint pliers to crimp these properly. Just cut the wires even, insert & crimp. They have 2 & 3 wire versions and also tap splices (tap into a line without cutting it)

http://www.amazon.com/UR2-3M-Scotch...&sr=1-1&keywords=Scotchlok+IDC+Butt+Connector

In terms of bus bars & terminal blocks maybe check out electronics/prototyping stuff:

https://www.adafruit.com/categories/125
https://www.adafruit.com/products/737
https://www.adafruit.com/products/874

Hope this helps