Douglas Connectors

[Tarfu43]

I'm currently installing a new lighting harness from Vintage Wiring of Maine. I've got two questions:

1) Where can I purchase some Douglas connectors? I don't need the shells, but the part in the middle that actually connects the two pins together. I'm dead in the water until I get those connectors!

2) I'm having trouble connecting several of the connections. It seems that it takes an awful lot of force to draw the two shells together and lock them. Is this normal? Any tips?

Thanks for the help!

[TomM]

Vintage wiring of Maine had the center connectors when I installed my harness. They are expensive so be sure to salvge as many as you can from your old harness.
The connectors are a tight fit. A dab of dialectric grease (available at auto parts stores) helps.
Tom

[RICKG]

i believe the dielectric grease will also slow or prevent the dry rot and
ozone damage to the rubber grommets inside the shells.

[wesk]

Kevin at Starr Electric and John at Midwest Military will have those and probably a wee bit cheaper.

When using the dielectric grease to help lube the parts be sure to coat the rubber bushings that the small hole in the metal shell pushes against, the small washer like piece that fits between the rubber bushing and the small hole in the shell and the small and large hole edges of the shells..

If after lubing the two metal shells still take 10 pounds of pressure to get even close to their slots then file a 1/32" off the new middle connector.

[Tarfu43]

Thanks, guys. I'll give your suggestions a try!

[wesk]

[WESTCOMVIC]

Check out www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com in California. Nice listing of male and female shells and related grommets etc.