Ground Block Installation and Pinout for RCR
Connector & Splice Instructions for The Switch-Pros RCR Ground Block
Tools & materials
- F-type ratcheting crimper with appropriate die and wire stop.
- Crimp tool/die for multi-wire splice barrels; adhesive-lined heat shrink.
- Adjustable wire stripper (with stop), heat gun, ruler/gauge, thin zip ties.
- 26 pos Superseal style housing and matching female terminals.
- 16 AWG TXL for connector pigtails (all pins). 10 AWG TXL for C1–C5 mains. 12 AWG TXL for long C6–C17 mains when runs exceed 8'.
- Multi-wire splice barrels sized for combined conductors; cable ties and loom for protection.
Key rules (read before starting)
- Crimp terminals onto 16 AWG pigtails first.
- Keep every pigtail trimmed to an identical finished length measured from the terminal shoulder before splicing.
- Do not insert terminals into the housing until after splices are completed.
- Keep terminal faces aligned while building splices; use thin zip ties at each end of the bundle to prevent rotation.
- 16 AWG pigtails are acceptable for runs ≤ 8'. If a run must exceed 8', splice to 12 AWG main at ~6" from the connector (pigtail length to splice = 6").
Bench checklist
- F-type ratcheting crimper with wire stop ready
- Splice crimper and correct die ready
- 26 pos housing & female terminals on bench (all cavities filled)
- 16 AWG pigtails cut long, and terminals crimped (not inserted)
- All 16 AWG pigtails trimmed to identical finished length from the terminal shoulder (before splicing)
- Thin zip ties are applied to each end of pigtail bundles to maintain orientation
- Mains prepped with heat shrink (10 AWG for C1–C5; 12 AWG for C6–C17 when >8')
- Splice end strip lengths set (16 AWG = 8.0 mm into splice; 12/10 AWG = 8.0 mm into splice)
- All splices completed and heat shrunk (S1–S5 and any C6–C17 splices)
- All terminals are inserted straight into the housing, and the face/TPA is pushed in to lock the terminals
- Wires routed, splices protected, continuity and short checks done
1 — Crimp pigtails and trim to an identical length
- Cut all 16 AWG pigtails long enough to strip, crimp, and reach the splice point (leave extra for routing).
- Set the stripper stop to 4.5 mm and strip each 16 AWG pigtail. Crimp the female terminal with the ratcheting crimper; inspect each crimp.
- Trim every 16 AWG pigtail to the same finished length from the terminal shoulder before making any splices. Keep pigtails ≤ 6" if you plan to splice to 12 AWG at 6".
2 — Prepare mains and preposition the heat shrink
- Slide adhesive-lined heat shrink onto each main conductor before stripping.
- Strip mains to 8.0 mm for splice insertion (12 AWG and 10 AWG splice ends use 8.0 mm). For 12 AWG terminal crimps, use 6.5 mm where applicable.
3 — Align terminals for splice assembly (rotation and zip tie tip)
- Lay out crimped 16 AWG pigtails so the locking lance faces the same direction.
- Place a thin zip tie snugly (not crushing insulation) at each end of the pigtail bundle to keep terminals from rotating and to maintain alignment while you assemble splices.
- Keep the bundle orientation consistent for every splice group so terminals will face correctly when inserted later.
4 — Splice procedure (do this before inserting terminals)
- For C1–C4 (35 A): group three 16 AWG pigtails into the splice barrel with the 10 AWG main; insert conductors fully and crimp with the correct die; heat shrink.
- For C5 (30 A): group two 16 AWG pigtails into the splice barrel with the 10 AWG main; crimp and heat shrink.
- For C6–C17 (15 A): if run ≤ 8', leave a single 16 AWG pigtail to the load (no splice). If run > 8', place splice 6" from connector: splice the 16 AWG pigtail to a 12 AWG main (single 16 → single 12) using a properly sized barrel and die; crimp and heat shrink.
- Inspect every splice for full compression and adhesive flow; secure splices with cable ties and route away from sharp edges.
5 — Insert terminals into the connector and lock
- Hold the housing so the terminal retention springs face up. Orient each terminal with the locking lance up.
- Push each terminal straight into its cavity until it bottoms out; do not rock or angle. Insert all terminals before operating the face/TPA.
- After seating every terminal, push the connector face/TPA inward until it snaps to engage the secondary lock.
6 — Final routing, protection, and checks
- Secure pigtails and mains with cable ties and loom; keep splices accessible but protected.
- Confirm no bare conductor is visible and that hole plugs (if used) are seated.
- Perform continuity and short checks from each connector pin to its main conductor. Under expected load, briefly monitor splice and connector temperatures for abnormal heating.
Practical tips and quality checks
- Keep the 16 AWG pigtail ≤ 6" when you plan to splice to 12 AWG; shorter pigtails reduce the connector path resistance and heat.
- Use adhesive-lined heat shrink and fully seat it over the splice; off-road environments need moisture and vibration protection.
- If a terminal resists insertion after splicing, check orientation and that the locking lance is undamaged.
You can download a PDF of this blog by clicking here
- What wire gauge do I use for the RCR ground block mains?
- C1–C4 (35A) and C5 (30A) use 10 AWG TXL mains. C6–C17 (15A) use 16 AWG pigtails for runs up to 8 feet. For runs over 8 feet, splice to 12 AWG main at approximately 6 inches from the connector.
- What is the maximum pigtail length before I need to splice to a larger wire?
- Keep 16 AWG pigtails to 8 feet or less. If a run must exceed 8 feet, splice to 12 AWG at 6 inches from the connector to reduce resistance and heat in the connector path.
- Why do I need to trim all pigtails to the same length before splicing?
- Identical pigtail lengths ensure consistent terminal positioning in the housing and prevent uneven stress on the splice. Pigtails of different lengths will cause alignment problems when inserting terminals.
- Is there a downloadable pinout for the RCR ground block?
- Yes — a PDF pinout is available at the bottom of this guide.
- Can I use the RCR ground block on a Can-Am X3, or is it Maverick R only?
- The ground block is system-specific, not vehicle-specific. It works with any vehicle running the Switch-Pros RCR — including the Can-Am X3, Maverick R, and other platforms.