n00b wiring question - connectors

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First, let me say that I have limited knowledge of electrical. The joke I like to tell is that if you flip the switch and the light comes on, it works. If it doesn't, call an electrician! Laughing

Here's my situation: I have some of those cheap 20W Chinese LED outdoor floodlights. I'd like to wire up one of the lights over my workbench in the garage, but I'd also like to wire it in such a way that when it fails (as they are prone to do) I can cut the power to the garage, disconnect the light, and hook up the new one. I got some "heavy duty outdoor" bullet connectors (they have a yellow plastic shell) for 10-12AWG wire from Amazon, and my idea is to crimp the connectors on to the ends of the wires so that I can just cut the power (at the breaker) unplug the connectors, plug in the new light, and turn everything back on.

My question is this: is there some kind of special tool I need to crimp these on, or can I use regular pliers?

Thanks!

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@EvilTessmacher,

If it is the kind of connector with a split sleeve, Vice Grips work better than pliers. Crimp one side over the wire and overlap it with the other side.

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@Ponderer,

Hey, thanks for the reply!!

I don't know if it's got a "split sleeve" or not. It looks more like a yellow plastic tube over the metal part. (on both parts of the connector)

Here's a link to the photo of what it looks like:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZjEtkw7RL._SX425_.jpg

One of my neighbors thinks she might have one of those crimping tools, so if I need one I think I can borrow it from her.

I shouldn't blow anything up doing this, would I? I mean, the thing isn't going to melt when the light's on, would it?

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@EvilTessmacher,

I'm sorry. When I looked at your reply, I only saw the first sentence then a space, so I didn't see the link and the rest of it. I thought that was the connector you meant. By "sleeve" I meant that the metal tube that the wire goes in is split lengthwise. I always pull the plastic part off so I can see what it does, then wrap tape around it. OK. I just asked Mr. Google. It looks like those connectors are way safe. Really I think that you will see that the connectors were made for a bigger wire than is on the light. It said a 40 watt bulb draws 0.36 amps. Just figure if the connectors have as much thickness as the wires on the light, there shouldn't be a light show.

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@EvilTessmacher,

Here is a little more " just so you'll know info". The "10-12 AWG" stands for
10-12 gauge wire. The gauge number relates to the diameter of the wire and the numbers go up as the wire gets smaller. (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) A car battery cable is 2-4 gauge. An average circuit in a car (like a taillight bulb) uses 18 gauge wire and is fused for 20-30 amps. (Current flow)So the connectors for a 10-12 gauge wire are totally safe.

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n00b wiring question - connectors

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