Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Any sort of discussion to do with any lighting whether it be vintage to modern!
User avatar
Beta 5
Posts: 337
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:52 am

Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Beta 5 » Tue Apr 28, 2026 10:19 pm

Does anyone know if you can buy the bullet crimp connectors that are used on the old Thorn ballasts and ignitors, and if so what size they are?
It would be useful for rewiring fittings and keeping it looking original. Of course it can be done with a terminal strip onto the pins but the proper connectors do look nicer.
Fluorescent Forever
User avatar
Slyspark
Site Admin
Posts: 3132
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:00 pm
Location: Surrey
Contact:

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Slyspark » Wed Apr 29, 2026 1:24 pm

I'd be quite interested to know the answer to this too. I'm guessing someone must make something similar?
Bad choices make good stories!
User avatar
Beta 5
Posts: 337
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:52 am

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Beta 5 » Wed Apr 29, 2026 2:53 pm

It is possible some of the automotive ones may fit or be close enough, but it is a job to know without having any to try it out and see. It looks like you can get small bullet crimps in about 2.4mm, perhaps some of those would be close enough in size. Will have to measure the pins on the ballasts and see what they are.

It was quite a good system to be able to easily and quickly unplug and replace failed components, only they either never failed or by the time they did the replacement components had moved to to other connectors so I expect they mostly ended up being cut off anyway!
Fluorescent Forever
User avatar
FrontSideBus
Posts: 1096
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2015 11:04 am
Location: Liverpool

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby FrontSideBus » Wed Apr 29, 2026 4:00 pm

Measure and then get a cheap pack from Amazon?
User avatar
Beta 5
Posts: 337
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:52 am

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Beta 5 » Wed Apr 29, 2026 5:30 pm

I think that'll be the answer, I'll measure them up later!
Fluorescent Forever
User avatar
Beta 5
Posts: 337
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:52 am

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Beta 5 » Wed Apr 29, 2026 9:40 pm

Well just measured them and they are about 2.35mm so I imagine the 2.4mm bullet receptacle crimps would do it. The ones I have seen all seem pretty expensive (in the region of several pounds for a pack of ten crimps!
Then there is finding the right crimper to do them with, though for a one off I suppose it would be alright to just crimp them up with pliers and then solder them to reinforce (given it is solid wire anyway)?
Fluorescent Forever
User avatar
Alex
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2025 2:10 pm
Location: Freiberg/Sachsen-Germany

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Alex » Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:42 am

Could anybody upload a picture so i know what you talking about?
From Germany. Open for any trades. Especially interested in british lighting. Please ask questions!

Favorite Lamp manufacturer: GEC
User avatar
Beta 5
Posts: 337
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:52 am

Re: Crimp terminals for old Thorn control gear

Postby Beta 5 » Thu Apr 30, 2026 5:36 pm

Here Alex
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Fluorescent Forever

Return to “General Lighting Discussion”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users