Wired2Serve Blog

CAN, which stands for Controller Area Network, has been in use for more than 30 years and is increasingly found in passenger vehicles, class 7 and 8 trucks, construction equipment, and off-highway vehicles. Even so, the technology may still be unfamiliar to many automotive upfitters and installers.

Few things beat the satisfaction of stepping back to admire a job well done, especially when it comes to pristine electrical work. While manufacturers continue to advance the features of electrical tape, the wrapping techniques used by OEMs and upfitters to create safe and error-free wire harnesses have stood the test of time.

Here are two fundamental techniques for wrapping PVC electrical tape that you must absolutely master for secure, long-lasting adhesion.

There are many types of low-voltage automotive wire, but the two most common are GPT wire and cross-link polyethylene wire. The key differences between them lie primarily in the properties of their insulating jackets. Here’s an overview.

When it comes to lighting patterns for vehicle work lights, some work vehicle customers are unsure whether spotlights or floodlights will best suit their operators' needs. Other questions may arise around the choice between LED or halogen lighting, and the different units of measurement when it comes to brightness. It’s important for upfitters to understand the differences between spotlights and floodlights and the best applications for each.

Deutsch connectors are in high demand and can be difficult to source due to extended manufacturer  lead times. Widely in use in trucks, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and many types of mobile equipment, Deutsch connectors have become integral to many production lines.

Proper crimping is essential for reliable terminations, and getting the right crimp requires the right tool. While this may sound simple enough, there several important things to keep in mind when selecting from the myriad of crimping tools on the market. 

When it comes to battery management, battery isolators and automatic charging relays (also called ACRs or voltage sensitive relays) are both used to safeguard reserve battery power to prevent breakdowns and protect other vital vehicle or boat functions.

So, how are these two components different? Is one better than the other? When should you choose one over the other? Here are some things to keep in mind.

Connectors used for demanding applications such as agriculture, mining, and construction are different than the electrical connectors used in consumer vehicles. Heavy-duty connectors are a unique category of connectors that are built specifically for off-highway applications.

The 10 products featured below shot to the top of our list as the most in-demand—out of more than 7,000 products offered at Waytek—in the first quarter of 2021.

Splice connectors—also commonly known as butt connectors, butt splices, or crimp connectors—have been in use for decades and remain an important component in 12-volt electrical systems. Here are some basics to help you select and use them.