Joining electrical cable

[scruff]

I have recently bought a new mast head light which conveniently came with approx 10cm of cable attached to it.

Basically, I wish to (obviously) wire this into the batter which is not within 10cm of the masthead.

Can you suggest a way of joining the two cables together to form a waterproof joint which will last at least a season - pref longer?

I have thought of taking the existing cable out and wiring a new one in but the mast head light design wont allow this easily and I don't really want to interfere with the waterproof construction - its fully ip-whatever certified waterproof....

any suggestions? oh and the join will have to be small si it can fit into the mast (or have a join box on the top of the mast)

any ideas kindly received...

 

[steve28]

i always use heat shrink over a soldered joint that has vaseline coating the join. when the heat shrink is reduced the vaseline is squeezed throughout the joint creating the watertight seal.

 

[seamaster30]

could you slide some heatshrink over the cable, then solder the two together then cover the joint with the heatshrink?

 

[alexrunic]

heat shrink and solder sound good to me too i would use some electrical tape on top or even better self amalgamating tape

something i learnt the other day Vaseline degrades some plastics and rubber and the professionals recommend silicone grease it costs about £3.00 including delivery from RS

 

[jack_tar]

I would get some heat shrink, slide it over each wire, strip back about 15mm of insulation, make a good soldered connection, move the heat shrink back over the join. obviously you will need to do this on both +ve and -Ve. then I would coat the whole lot with 5 min areldite. perhaps applying 2 or 3 coats to get a good thick covering.

I am sure someone else will be along in a moment with a far better idea
cheers

 

[1955patric]

Try using these . Clicky

 

[Gordonmc]

If you are using heatshrink make sure it is the type which comes with glue inside. As suggested, slide over the wire, solder the joint, cover the join with an inch or two either side and heat.
The glue makes for a completely waterproof seal.

 

[cindersailor]

Ideal for the job, but don't by them from Merlin. Google "Heat Shrink Butt" (if you dare!) and you will find plenty of suppliers at about 15-20p each rather than 60-70p each. The usual marine markup applies!

 

[nimbusgb]

Heat shrink over each of the individual wires. A larger diameter over both the smaller ones and then rather than electrical tape some self annealing tape.

 

[yoda]

As others have said, solder and heat shrink with more heat shrink over the whole lot. If you stagger the lenghts of wire you won't get such a buildup of material in one place which may be better if the joint needs to go in through a grommet or hole in the mast.

Yoda

 

[scruff]

excellent - thanks for all your help.

think I have found a task for this weekend....