Advice on using heat-shrink tubing requested

[londoner06]

Guys, I could use your recommendations:

• What tool you guys use to shrink 'heat-shrink' tubing?

• Is all tubing created equal or is there a brand you would especially recommend?

• Do I have to solder the wires first or just twist them if I'm using heat-shrink?

Thanks,

Alex

[1999Porsche911]

Guys, I could use your recommendations:

• What tool you guys use to shrink 'heat-shrink' tubing?

• Is all tubing created equal or is there a brand you would especially recommend?

• Do I have to solder the wires first or just twist them if I'm using heat-shrink?

Thanks,

Alex

Solder all connections for best connection and durabilty.

[Foster]

You can use a cig lighter if you're carefully.

I usually just lightly brush the soldering iron against it.

IMHO the shiny vinyl kind from radio shack sucks.

It doesn't seem to shrink as well.

Try to find the kind rubbery kind with a flat finish. You can get it at a hobby shop that sells RC cars and planes.

It shrinks up better.

But remember it's only gonna shrink maybe 50% so get the right size.

Definitely best to solder.

Edited January 11, 2009 by Foster

[londoner06]

Thanks 1999 and Foster.

Yeah, I've seen bad reviews of Radio Shack's heat shrink tubing that's why I wanted to hear what people are happy with.

[1schoir]

Guys, I could use your recommendations:

• What tool you guys use to shrink 'heat-shrink' tubing?

• Is all tubing created equal or is there a brand you would especially recommend?

• Do I have to solder the wires first or just twist them if I'm using heat-shrink?

Thanks,

Alex

Alex:

Ditto on the soldering. Always a better practice.

A good way to shrink the tubing is to use a heat gun or a hair dryer. That gives you good control of the shrinking and avoids possible burn-through.

In a pinch you can also use a cigarette lighter as was suggested, or a match. With both of these methods, be careful to not get too close to the tubing to avoid burn-through.

There are different gauges of wall thickness for heat shrink-tubing, but I don't know of specific brands. Some "commercial-grade" heat shrink tubing leaves almost the equivalent of the thickness of the covering of a regular wire after the tubing has been heat-shrunk.

Regards, Maurice.

[londoner06]

Maurice, thank you for your tips. It seems that the tubing needs only about 200° to shrink and most heat guns put out a lot more heat (250°-1000°) than needed. Maybe the hair dryer idea would work out better. I don't want to ruin the paint...

Alex

[Foster]

Paint?

What are you working on?

[londoner06]

The blinking side markers mod. There is a splice done at the plug.

For the time being I used a 3M splice connector but I'm not sure if it is waterproof:

Edited January 11, 2009 by londoner06

[wvicary]

I use the dual wall type shrink tube, solder the connection and use my butane soldering irons vent to shrink.

[Foster]

If it were me I'd just use heat shrink, because that's what I have.

It would probably work fine.

But keep in mind that regular heat shrink tubing won't necessarily be 100% water tight.

I've seen some auto splice crimps with heat shrink on them.

They have some kind of hot glue type stuff in the ends that seals the ends up when you shrink it.

[wvicary]

If it were me I'd just use heat shrink, because that's what I have.

It would probably work fine.

But keep in mind that regular heat shrink tubing won't necessarily be 100% water tight.

I've seen some auto splice crimps with heat shrink on them.

They have some kind of hot glue type stuff in the ends that seals the ends up when you shrink it.

The glue like stuff is the dual wall shrink tube.

[juniinc]

liquid electrical tape should also work,,,

[londoner06]

Great suggestions everybody: