On Wed, 7 Nov 2018 08:17:27 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 11/7/2018 2:17 AM, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Wed, 7 Nov 2018 00:00:25 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 11/6/2018 7:51 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
...

Can't get anything simpler and more reliable than a split bolt
connector - properly installed and sealed. A bit more work than the
Kup-L Tap

Simpler, yes. If wire sizes are near, I'll also agree on reliability
being ok; when it's a smaller tap off a larger feeder as this case, then
it's not as easy to capture the smaller and keep it secure as with the H
tap sized for the purpose...of course, one does need to have the crimper...
If you know what you are doing a split bolt will tap a #14 onto a #2
with no problem at all - and all you need is a pair of wrenches and a
jack-knife. ANd the Kup-LTap we were discussing doesn't need a crimper
either

It will do it, yes. My experience has been that the smaller with time
will tend to work out. That's from observing the behavior of those on
the overhead feeds that have been in place for a long time.

W KS wind moves them much more than if were in protected location, of
course, is part of the problem. Where this connection is, under the
waterer it would last indefinitely, likely, yes, because it isn't under
any stress whatever.

But, I already had the crimper and imo a couple squeezes with it isn't
any more of an issue than tightening a bolt and it's much neater in the
end. IF the supply house hadn't had the H tap in stock, I'd have gone
ahead and made the connection to get the heater going using a split nut
but would have (eventually) gone back and replaced it with the other;
this way I'm done and happy... We all have our own prejudices of
what we like/dislike...

The conductors should be strapped to each other for some length beyond
the tap to take the strain off the tap device.