Need help connecting new Honeywell Thermostat

DIYBlonde

My home has original heater/ac from 1979. My thermostat is Honeywell about 20 yrs old with a G Y W R set on connector wires. Display said low battery and changing the batteries to new ones (and doing the opposite insert to reset) did not correct; display still says low battery. Tried twice with new batteries. Purchased a new Honeywell thermostat. The connections on the old one are wire wrapped around terminal screw. New one has insert holes. The wires are old and the exposed portion is long. Should I trim the wires so that less is exposed or just straighten the wires and insert which will result in a lot of exposed wire.

Thank you!!

DIYBlonde

ALSO - the G wire is not green, it's blue, but it was attached to "G" on the old. Do the wires need to go all the way through the holes and come out the other side? The old wires are hard to uncurl and get straight.
TY

HVACNUT

If there's plenty of extra wire, cut and strip new ends.
Sometimes it's hard to insert the wires. Try depressing the release button as you push the wire in. Then release the button. And yes, the wires must be straight. 

DIYBlonde

This thermostat does not have a release button, seems you simply insert the wire and tighten the screw. The diagram in the instructions would make it seem as if I only leave a tiny point of exposed wire to insert. As is typical, the instructions are composed by people who already know how to do it and may not be "lay person tested" to determine if the average person will understand. I want to be sure before I trim the wires.

Off to work! Hopefully we will have heat tonight. TY

HVACNUT

Cut and strip.
I usually pull extra wire out of the wall and hold the sub base in my hand while wiring. Then mount it. It's easier for me.

Jamie Hall

When you stick the wire into the opening, make sure it goes all the way in -- and that the stripping is just long enough that the insulation comes to, but not into, the opening.

DIYBlonde

All-righty!
The wire bundle doesn't appear to have much more in the wall; how hard can I pull on it before I make a fool of myself and do damage?
Can I strip down the outer insulation (that encases the individual wires) to make it a bit easier? I am assuming I want to avoid any of them making contact during their surgery.

Thank You so very much for helping! I like to do things myself, but sure don't want to muck it up. The Honeywell chat agent was helpful on the diagnostic/recommendation side, and you all are very kind to assist me down the path to a successful install

HVACNUT

Don't pull the wire out of the wall. Its probably stapled. Just cut off the bare copper that's there, and strip about a 1/4" inch of insulation from each wire.
There's no Common wire so don't be concerned about shorting anything. But if you want to shut off the breaker first, do it.

DIYBlonde

That's Great, Thank You HVACNUT. Happy Holidays to Everyone!!

DIYBlonde

Your instructions / tips resulted in a successful installation and a warm home!!

Thanks again & Merry Christmas