Category: Automotive

Chinese Hydraulic Wire Crimper with 4/0 Welding Cable Review

Today I demonstrate my new 16 ton Chinese hydraulic wire crimper that I bought from Amazon. I will be using it with 4/0 (four aught) 100% copper, fine stranded welding cable and per-tinned crimp lugs. I even cut apart the finished crimped fitting to inspect the quality of the crimp connection. I bought this crimper to use on a starting unit for heavy equipment that we were building a few months ago and I was impressed with it’s capability, especially for the low cost of the tool. I figured it was worth sharing my experience with the good people of Garage Topic and youtube. Harbor Freight offers a hydraulic crimping tool also, but it costs more than the tool in this review, and it’s a smaller crimper. The largest wire listed on the Harbor Freight tool is 0 AWG (zero gauge). The cable I am crimping in this review is 4/0 (four aught) which is four sizes larger than 0 AWG. (zero gauge) This 16 ton Chinese crimper comes with 5 sets of dies LARGER than the 4/0 I was crimping. (11 sets of dies in total) This thing is an absolute beast for the price. I should have bought this tool sooner!

YouTube video down below.

I am pretty sure that most of the 16 ton hydraulic crimpers listed on Amazon and eBay are probably from the same factory in China. They are just re-named, or re-branded depending what the private sellers decide to call the product in their Amazon or eBay listings. The unit I purchased from Amazon is called “Goplus”.

This is a picture of the hydraulic crimping tool I purchased:

Goplus 16-Ton Chinese Hydraulic Crimper

PROS:

  • Low cost. I do not remember the exact price that I paid for this crimper but it was considerably cheaper than the Harbor Freight crimper, which is also considerably smaller than this unit. Not to mention, this crimper is WAAAY cheaper than the well known, brand name crimpers that is available on the market.
  • Capability. This crimper comes with eleven hex dies which will cover a wide range of cable and wire sizes. Everything from a wire just large enough that you wouldn’t want to crimp it with a hand crimper, all the way up to cable sizes that your average guy would probably never be working with anyway. Another thought I had was…. the dies are nothing proprietary. They literally look like a square piece of metal with a hex hole punched in the middle, then cut in half to make the die. A handy guy in his home shop could easily make custom dies for this crimper out of a square piece of mild steel, drill a hole, then cut in half. Presto! Instant custom die.
  • Simple and easy to use. This crimper is very easy to use. There is one vale to open and close just like on a hydraulic floor jack, and a handle to pump the hydraulic jaws together. That’s it. (The jaws are spring return) As long as you have the correct size dies installed for the size of cable and fittings you’re using, and you center your fitting in the dies, you really can’t screw up the crimp. Then you just pump the handle until the dies come completely together, so there is no longer a gap between the dies. Done.
  • Complete kit. The crimper comes in a blow mold case, which is not very good quality, but the only thing the case does is hold the tool and dies together while being stored. The case does not affect the functionality of the tool while it’s crimping wire or cables. And besides, for the cost of this tool, I really didn’t expect the case to be great anyway. lol. It also comes with an extra set of o-rings so when the tool develops a leak in the future, you will already have the o-rings to fix the leak….. if the extra o-ring kit isn’t lost by then. lol
  • Quality of crimp. I was very impressed by the quality of the finished crimp. Between the size of dies I was using, and the size of the fittings and cable I was crimping, I was VERY happy with the result of the finished crimp. I used my sawzall to cut a test crimp apart to inspect the crimp quality and it looked perfect to me. See for yourself below:
Freshly cut apart with sawzall to inspect quality of crimp
Same crimp as above but different view.
Finished crimp with adhesive lined shrink tubing

CONS:

  • My number one complaint is die sizing. The numbers on the dies are not inline with any numbers used for wire sizing here in North America, not this part anyway. I’ve been told it’s some sort of metric wire sizing….. which is perfectly fine, but it’s just not very convenient of anyone in North America. You would think if they’re selling millions of these crimper kits here in North America, it wouldn’t be too much trouble to have a different set of dies stamped with AWG sizing. It takes a little trial and error to get the correct size die for your project. I recommend at least one or two test crimps with scrap wire to make sure you get the sizing correct before crimping anything on your project itself. I was mildly upset with the die sizing but then I remembered how much I paid for this crimper kit and I immediately had a smile back on my face. lol.
  • Other than die sizing, and the low quality case, there really is nothing else to complain about with this hydraulic crimping tool.

Conclusion:

I would absolutely recommend this hydraulic crimper to anyone who needs to crimp any wire or cable that is too large to crimp with a hand crimper. It is a complete kit that covers a wide range of wire and cable sizes, it is very easy to use, it gives very high quality crimp results, and is very reasonably priced. The only down side would be if you’re a commercial contractor, who needs to prove that he used certified crimp fittings with a certified crimper, on a commercial job, then this crimper would not be for you. However, if you found yourself in the situation that I just mentioned, you’re probably not reading this review anyway. You would most likely be standing at the city desk of your local electrical supply house picking up that well known, brand name crimper that I mentioned earlier in this post, and paying 60 times (roughly) more than I paid for the crimper in this review.

For the average guy who is looking to crimp heavy gauge welding cable, or battery cables, or even cables for your DIY solar system install, this crimper would be excellent for you.

Thanks for stopping by Garage Topic.

Check out the crimper video on my YouTube channel

Autel MK808BT MaxiCOM Wireless Bluetooth OBDII Professional Scan Tool

I was able to review the Autel MaxiCOM MK808BT OBDII scan tool a while back. There are several reasons why I like this scanner, and a few reasons why it’s not so great. First, lets cover the main reasons why I like the MK808BT.

YouTube video below.

PROS:

1) It will communicate with every module on any OBDII vehicle. Every vehicle made has different modules that monitor and control certain systems of the vehicle. This OBDII scan tool will scan for codes and provide live data from every module in the vehicle that it’s connected to. Most cheaper OBDII scan tools will only scan and display data from the the ECM. (Engine control module) Well, that’s great, but what about the other 5 or 10 (or more) modules in that vehicle? Abs brake module, SRS module (air bags), fuel pump module, body control module, transmission control module, etc, etc… This scan tool will scan and display trouble codes and live data from every module in the vehicle.

2) It has full live view data. The live data list for any given module is 100% complete. If the data PID exists in any given module, it will be displayed on the screen. A lot of the cheaper OBDII scan tools will only display a few of the most common PIDS and hide the rest. This scan tool displays all data PIDs

3) The Autel MK808BT will also display generic OBDII data from any vehicle…. which is data without the manufacturer’s (vehicle make) overlay. It’s just raw data from the vehicle.

4) It has wireless Bluetooth connectivity between the scanner and the vehicle – VCI. When you power-up the scan tool, about one second later you’ll hear a loud BEEP. That beep lets you know that the scanner and the VCI are connected to each other and they are ready for use. This happens automatically, every time you turn the scan tool on. I’ve never NOT had it connect immediately. The Bluetooth data connection between the vehicle’s OBDII port and the Autel scan tool is very good. I did not walk very far away from the vehicle to do an overall distance test, but I did walk around the vehicle inside the shop, and outside in the driveway and I never lost connection. The speed of the connection also seems to be very good. I did notice that it took about a half to maybe 1 full second to fully populate a full live data list but I’ve noticed that same delay with my MK908P which is a much more expensive scan tool. That short delay could have also been caused by the computer in my test vehicle. Either way, it was such a minor delay that it was barely worth mentioning. I only noticed the delay because I was specifically looking for it. Another thing I liked about the wireless Bluetooth VCI is that it comes with a mini USB port so if something happens to your wireless connection, you can simply connect a USB cable between the VCI and the scan tool and it now becomes a wired connection. I did test this and it worked flawlessly.

5) It offers all the main “service functions” like EPB, DPF, SAS, ABS, BMS, TPMS, auto brake bleed, oil reset, etc. Most of the cheaper OBDII scan tools do not come with the ability to perform ANY of these typical service functions… but this comes with pretty much every service function you could need. The list of functions are “possibilities”. Keep in mind, if some (or all) of these function do not exists in your vehicle’s computer, then this scan tool will not be able to command those functions. For example: EPB, which is electronic parking brake. My 2006 GMC 1500 pick-up does not have electronic parking brakes so that function does me no good because the computer in my truck wouldn’t know what to do with that command. lol.

6) This Autel MK808BT has SOME bi-directional controls. For example, I can operate the blend doors in my dash for the HVAC system, open and close all eclectic windows, lock/unlock the doors, etc, etc. The scan tool will be able to operate some functions inside the vehicle depending on the make/model. My test vehicle is a 2006, if you tried it on a newer vehicle it may operate more functions as cars became more computer dependent, and more modern over the years.

7) Other pros worth mentioning: The scanner runs on the Android operating platform and it feels like it’s physically very well made, it does not feel flimsy at all. It comes in your typical blow mold case with owners manual, power brick and two USB cables. (one long, one short)

CONS:

1) The MK808BT does NOT have full bi-directional control. Sure, I mentioned earlier that it had some control, but I haven’t been able to find any power train controls. I am not able to cycle the fuel pump, I am not able to open/close evap solenoids, etc, etc. Unfortunately, if you NEED bi-directional controls, then you will need to step up $300-$400 dollars more and buy a higher end model. However, if you are good at diagnosing modern cars, you may not need bi-direction control. The fact that this scanner has FULL live data for all modules, that should be enough to diagnose MOST problems on today’s vehicles.

2) Annual updates are NOT free. This isn’t the end of the world because having to purchase annual updates is fairly common with mid to high end scanners but it still sucks for your average guy to pay for updates that may only get used a few times per year. If you’re a mechanic working in a busy shop and use your scan tool every day, then it’s not such a big deal.

Conclusion

The Autel MK808BT is an excellent OBDII scan tool for serious DIYers, backyard mechanics, and even full time mechanics. If you’re looking for a scanner that will display ALL data for any given vehicle (whatever you’re plugged into) along with having the ability to perform all service functions, then this tool will be hard to beat! If you absolutely NEED bi-directional control, then skip this tool and keep going up the line to find another model that will fit your needs.

Please check out my YouTube video review about the MK808BT below.

The best wrench I have ever used? Knipex Pliers Wrench.

Is this the best adjustable wrench money can buy? Is the Knipex Pliers Wrench better than your typical adjustable Crescent wrench? In my YouTube video I go over how I discovered this wrench and I compare it to other wrenches and pliers that are similar in design. The Knipex Pliers Wrench may look like a pliers, but it does the job of an adjustable Crescent wrench, only MUCH better. In fact, if you have the space, it’s probably better than a typical open end wrench because of the amount of squeeze pressure that can be applied to the fastener. This has become one of my favorite tools and I recommend these to anyone who works with hand tools on a regular basis.

Sure, this wrench won’t work in many tight automotive situations. And I’m not saying this tool will replace any other wrench you already have in your toolbox. What I am saying is… Anywhere a normal adjustable (Crescent) wrench would work, this wrench will do the job easier, quicker and with less chance of rounding off the fastener. If I was in the hydraulic business and worked with JIC fittings and hoses all day long, this wrench would be in my hand 90% of the time. If I was a maintenance mechanic in a commercial factory or any other industrial setting on a daily basis, I would carry the small version of these Knipex as part of my every day carry, (EDC) in addition to my normal tool belt/toolbox.

The Knipex Cobra, Aligator, Mini Bolt Cutters, and this Pliers Wrench are all must haves in my book. Knipex tools are not cheap, but they are VERY well made and work terrific. Kinipex tools will last a lifetime…

Get yourself a pair, you won’t be sorry!

How to unlock a car door without keys, the easy way.

I show you an easy way to unlock your car door if you have locked your keys in the vehicle. This is the easiest car door unlocking tool that I have found after working in the automotive roadside assistance / towing industry for almost 3 decades. It is made by Access Tools and is called the RCBM- Remote Control Button Master. It is a long reach grabber tool used to unlock vehicles with vertical door locks. Longer versions of this tool can also be found by various manufacturers that are long enough to reach inside the car or truck and grab interior door handles, etc. In the video I use two air bags, also known as air wedges, or air jacks to help open the door just enough to get the tool inside. These air bags a not 100% necessary. You could also use plastic door wedges, a homemade wooden wedge… or even just a screwdriver if you don’t care about damaging your vehicle. This is a pretty simple process to unlock a door with vertical door locks using this tool. Try not to wedge the door open too far, just enough to get the tool in. And also once the door is unlocked, be sure to remove all wedges and/or air bags before opening the door. This removes all pressure from the door latch and lets the door open smoothly.

This was basically a video demonstration of one specific type of door unlocking tool, that works on one specific type of door lock. I took a lot of heat in the comment section for this YouTube video. If you read the title, and the caption in the thumbnail, you will see this is exactly what I show in the video…. “how to unlock A car without keys”. I do apologize if you found this post and/or video while standing in a parking lot trying to figure out how to get into your car. I REALIZE you do not have this tool in your pocket. I REALIZE this post/video does you NO good while you’re stranded outside of your car. However, this video wasn’t really intended for people in your situation. This was a demonstration of a door unlocking tool for people who work in the automotive industry, who buy tools on a regular basis. YouTube is full of tool review videos and this video is no different.

Again, I’m sorry if you’re locked out of your vehicle and found my tool demonstration video thinking I had a magic solution to unlock your car. Unfortunately, I do not.

I may do a future video/post about other types of door unlocking tools that we’ve used over the years. There were some real weird looking “door tools” that we used years ago that would go inside the door, under the glass, then back up inside the car on the inside of the glass, then wrap back down over the interior door panel and physically move the door lock on the door. The bad part was, if you couldn’t get the car unlocked, you couldn’t get your tool back out…. and I never lost a tool, by the way! lol. Door tools generally worked good on the older cars that had loose doors and door seals but as time went on and doors got tighter, door tools became more difficult to use. Not to mention all the wires and air bags inside modern car doors . Door tools and a slim Jim were all we had back in the day and now those tools are rarely used today.

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Car Stereo Auxiliary Input Humming Buzzing Whining Hissing Noise Sound

I made a YouTube video showing how to fix humming, buzzing, whining, and hissing noises when using your auxiliary audio input on your car stereo. This is caused by a common ground between the audio source, and the radio in the car. It’s called a ground loop, and you can buy a ground loop isolator to easily fix this problem. The isolator shown in this video was purchased at a Micro Center retail store but they can also be purchased on-line. I included a link under the video to the item on the Micro Center website, and to a similar unit that can found on Amazon.

In the video I demonstrate the ground loop noise with an aviation radio scanner (I am an aviation nerd, lol) but the problem can happen with any audio source like your cell phone or MP3 player (do they still sell MP3 players? lol) that you might have plugged into your 12 volt power port inside your car. Anytime your car radio and your external audio source share the same ground, you could possibly experience “ground loop” noise. Sure, you could just unplug the 12 volt power cord from your phone but then you wouldn’t be able to charge and listen to your music at the same time without listening to that hideous noise. These simple and inexpensive ground loop isolators fix that problem.

Please be sure to give my video a thumbs up, and maybe post a quick comment below, and subscribe for more…. It really helps a guy out!