Shrink Wrap ?

[synthnut]

Go ahead and call me a fossil , but I have not used shrink wrap very much and was wondering how well does it do in water ? .....Does it REALLY seal well ? .......I'm think of doing a splice , and would like to

1) solder the connections

2) Paint the connections with that liquid rubber stuff

3) Put shrink wrap of various sizes that are already on the cable waiting to be used ( smallest size shrunk, then next largest size shrunk , follow by a third shrink wrap that is larger yet ....all the shrink wrap tubes to be cut one longer than the next ....


Will this be waterproof ? .....Any particular shrink wrap better than others ? ......I'm looking at shrink wrap at genuinedeals.com ....Thanks. Jim

 

[Coach "D"]

Hey Synthnut,

I was planning on doing that too, but decided to just change out my headphone guts into a set pf Peltors. I have not done the job yet, but have everything needed but the time.. :blush: Anyway, I found this post of just what you are talking baout when I was researching. Check it out. It looks like a safe and reliable waterproof connection. I hope there are no policies about posting links to other forums. If so, I did not know.
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?topic=322931.new

 

[OldBeechnut]

I like Treasure Hunts work..Great Job........Video of 3m resin, I've seen used by Baltimore Gas & Electric for under ground cable splicing, Aluminum cable, better then shrink wrap or tubing........... you can trim the cast to the size of cable...40 bucks, guess thats cheaper then a coil install from a minelab tech..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhQMSsFGUbc

 

[Sand Scoop]

I get my shrink tube on Ebay.You can get a kit that has various sizes then get a larger tube to cover the whole splice..Very small for the individual wire after you solder than a larger one that will cover the whole splice plus a couple inches on either side. Get the tube that is for doing "water" proof shrinking. I've used it on repairing coil cable when the wires break and never had a problem with water getting into the repair.When you shrink it use a light flame on your torch moving it back and forth on the shrink as not to burn through the shrink tubing.

 

[synthnut]

OBN,
Thanks for the info on the 3m resin ....A little pricey for a splice .....Splicey !!!.....

Sand Scoop ,
Thanks for the info ....This is more in line ( $$$$$$ ) with what I would like to pay ...

 

[Sand Scoop]

I was in the electrical trade for many years and have used the 3M kits.We used them for splicing underground cable and looks like the same size that is pictured.If they make a smaller version that would be applicable to our small cable then maybe it would work...I think the shrink sleeves are much better suited for what we use them for.Its lighter and makes a watertight splice when done correctly.

 

[synthnut]

Sand Scoop ,
I think that if the cable is scraped like you have to do with the 3m and cleaned good and free from any coatings or anything , that the shrink wrap would work well .... How much bigger do you have to get the shrink wrap than the cable you're splicing ? .....Are you better off getting it as tight as posible and still be able to slide it over the cable, or make it a very loose fit ? ....Thanks, Jim

 

[kered]

There are two main types of heat shrink/shrink wrap, pre glued and without glue, the majority is without glue(over here at least)and relies on the tightness to hold in place. By far the best for coil wires is the preglued, the glue is also activated by the heat, if i remember correctly GraveDiggerMax did a post on it some time back on one of his mods and with make/supplier on your side of the pond although its easy to find there are many different qualities

 

[Sand Scoop]

Jim,
I used a 3/8 shrink over the smaller shrinks of the splice.The 3/8 will shrink to the diameter of the cable.Just make sure you cut it long enough to run back on the cable a couple inches on each side..Apply the heat evenly along the shrink so it bonds to the cable and splice. Make sure you have the waterproof shrinks as they have a coating on the inside that seals the moister out. I have used this on my Excal when I had broken wires in the coil cable and of course the splice is underwater. I've had no problem with water getting in.

 

[synthnut]

Thanks guys , I appreciate it .....This looks like the way I'm gonna go .....JIm

 

[biglry]

I first use the 1/8" 3:1 adhesive shrink tubing to cover all my solder connections http://www.buyheatshrink.com/heatshrinktubing/3to1adhesive.htm#B
The 3:1 heat shrink tubing I use is sometimes called "dual-wall" shrink tubing, because it is actually made up of two different materials together. One wall - the outer wall - is Polyolefin heat shrink. The second wall (hence the name "dual wall") - the inner wall - is a hot melt adhesive.

When exposed to heat (usually a bit lower than the activation temperature of the heat shrink), the inner layer begins to flow (just like a hot melt glue). When the tubing shrinks and cools down, inner layer forms an adhesion layer between the tubing and the component or wire. This provides a water-tight seal, protecting the connector and/or wire. It also allows the tubing to stick to the substrate. This is why this tubing is also called adhesive lined heat shrink tubing.
Then I use the 3/8" heavy wall 3:1 shrink tubing with adhesive as my top wrap to cover all the splices.
http://www.buyheatshrink.com/heatshrinktubing/3-1-heavy-wall-polyolefin.htm#B
Here is a link to go info on just about everything you would want to know about Heat Shrink Tubing
http://www.buyheatshrink.com/heatshrinktubing/index.htm
I have never had any moisture intrusion or corrosion to any connection or splice that I have covered with this stuff.

 

[synthnut]

biglry.
Thanks for the info and the links ...I appreciate it ....Jim