Post by vondesiong on Nov 21, 2020 12:53:18 GMT
A reader wrote in, bringing “waterproof heat shrink wire connectors” to my attention. Thank you Fred C.!
First, I’d like to remind everyone about our post about scam retailers: Scam or Not? Tips for Assessing Unfamiliar Online Tool Stores. The online retailer that Fred linked had raised immediate red flags, and a closer look deepened my suspicions.
Now about these connectors – they’re available on Amazon from a whole lot of brands (and at lower pricing than the retailer Fred C. had linked to).
Fred wrote:
Have a beach house. These look pretty functional for an outdoor /marine environment.
The image above comes from a Haisstronica listing on Amazon for a 120pc set of connectors.
Basically, these connectors are precut lengths of special heat shrink with what looks to be a low-temp solder at the middle.
You slide on the heat shrink, mesh stranded wires together, center the butt connector over the splice, and use a heat gun to shrink the tubing and melt the solder. There’s a hot-melt-glue-like adhesive that helps hold and seal things together.
See Products via Amazon
In my opinion, I’d stick to established brands, such as 3M, and traditional connector methods. Some connectors are easy to use, and can be activated with pliers. There are also of course crimp connectors.
But, at least one brand that I’ve used in the past – TE Connectivity – makes something similar. They have SolderSleeve and also SolderGrip end connectors. If this was a product I wanted to try, I’d likely seek out the TE-branded products. Or, there might be other established names that make something similar.
What’s your take on these electrical connectors? Have you used them before? Would you trust them?
First, I’d like to remind everyone about our post about scam retailers: Scam or Not? Tips for Assessing Unfamiliar Online Tool Stores. The online retailer that Fred linked had raised immediate red flags, and a closer look deepened my suspicions.
Now about these connectors – they’re available on Amazon from a whole lot of brands (and at lower pricing than the retailer Fred C. had linked to).
Fred wrote:
Have a beach house. These look pretty functional for an outdoor /marine environment.
The image above comes from a Haisstronica listing on Amazon for a 120pc set of connectors.
Basically, these connectors are precut lengths of special heat shrink with what looks to be a low-temp solder at the middle.
You slide on the heat shrink, mesh stranded wires together, center the butt connector over the splice, and use a heat gun to shrink the tubing and melt the solder. There’s a hot-melt-glue-like adhesive that helps hold and seal things together.
See Products via Amazon
In my opinion, I’d stick to established brands, such as 3M, and traditional connector methods. Some connectors are easy to use, and can be activated with pliers. There are also of course crimp connectors.
But, at least one brand that I’ve used in the past – TE Connectivity – makes something similar. They have SolderSleeve and also SolderGrip end connectors. If this was a product I wanted to try, I’d likely seek out the TE-branded products. Or, there might be other established names that make something similar.
What’s your take on these electrical connectors? Have you used them before? Would you trust them?