openinverter forum

Molex Mini-fit Jr and equivalent TE-Connectivity Val-U-Lok connectors are quite popular as board/wire interconnects. I have a bunch I need to terminate, but I was having no luck with any of my various crimp tools. Most of these have worked well for things like Molex KK and were crimping the conductor part OK, but making a complete mess of the insulation section.

The prices for the official crimp tools are quite eye-watering, so I went searching for a reasonably priced tool with good reviews.

I found said tool in the form of the MDPC-X CTX3; https://www.cable-sleeving.com/crimping-tool

SciroccoEV wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2020 11:06 pm I found said tool in the form of the MDPC-X CTX3; https://www.cable-sleeving.com/crimping-tool

Long ago i found mine for like 70€.
Now i see multiple choices online:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-BNC-SMA-Cr ... 1994884744

Big Clive has just done a rather in depth review of various crimpers and why some are good and some are bad.


On a related note I've just had engine failure on my current homemade bike because of incorrectly crimped 24 way Molex Mini-Fit connector to the diy ECU. It's been fine for about 3 years, then recently I've had engine fluctuation going over big bumps and now it wont run. I've tracked it down to a loose wire in a crimp which need replacing, I guess because I wasn't paying attention when crimping it or was using the wrong gauge wire for the crimp.
So it's more important to have a good crimper than you'd think.