shrink wrap for wiing joints

[davidmh]

I have to put some wiring in an area which gets wet from salt spray and rainwater, I cannot avoid having joints in those areas. I thought I would use standard blue butt crimp connectors and cover the whole joint and the wire insulation with shrinkwrap. I have nevr used shrink wrapbegore so I need your help/.
What size shrink wrap do I need, o/d of cable 7mm crimp might be bigger than 7mm How do you heat it? Does it shrink llenghtwaysis so how much.
David MH

 

[justanothersailboat]

I think what you're looking for is "glue lined heatshrink tube". It shrinks quite a lot in diameter but not much in length. In my experience easily enough that a size which just slides over a crimp, can grip matching-sized wire (but not usually wire that's too thin for the crimp anyway).

You can also buy crimp connectors that have a glue lined insulating heatshrink cover. In my experience these are really good.Unfortunately your existing crimp tool may not be right for them depending on what it is.

Like you, I avoid connections exposed to saltwater wherever possible but was not able to perfectly avoid it in a few places. I used a "belt and braces" approach with gluelined heatshrink tube over gluelined heatshrink crimps.The idea being that the outer cover protects the inner from damage or lifting at the edges. No doubt it won't last forever but seems perfect so far. It wasn't costly.

 

[William_H]

I think what you want is not so much shrink wrap as shrink tubing. Pardon Our Interruption... You of course have to ahve the join apart to fit tubing over. Tubing can be shrunk with any flame or soldering iron. lovely stuff. ol'will

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Hot air gun is the appropriate tool, especially for glue lined heat shrink. £11 on ebay. Soldering iron is hit and miss and flame too easy to burn through.

 

[Concerto]

You could use self amalgamating tape. This seals very well.

 

[Neeves]

I don't know where you are located but Scapa, a UK, company is a maker of technical tapes (and maybe also Sellotape) and they make amalgamating tape.

You can buy shrink covers for electrical work sufficnelty large to cover cricket bat, tennis handles or the hand end of fishing rods.

You can buy same with glue inside.

You could cover the joint with amalgamating tape the then overcoat with a shrink cover. You could fill a standard shrink cover with silicon and then heat shrink.

A heat gun is the answer - most sources of heat are too fierce.

AFAIK heat shrink covers have the same characteristics. If you want something more robust look for heat shrink for rope - it is supplied with a 3:1 or 4:1 characteristic. (and is best shrink in hot water (inappropriate for electric work.

Google - 'heat shrink for electrical connections'. Its sold by the metre, various sizes, various colours

or 'heat shrink for rope' again sold by the meter, various sizes, clear or black.

I buy my heat shrink for rope from China, heat shrink for wiring - same source as your crimp connectors, various sizes.

Jonathan

 

[Boater Sam]

For really severe exposures use plastic joint boxes, crimp the wires inside then fill box with CT1 adhesive sealant. I have done this with cables that are actually under water all the time and they don't leak.

 

[fredrussell]

Adhesive heat shrink is god’s gift to boaters. To the OP, rather than work out exact size required just buy an assortment box and do a bit of trial and error on some old or spare cable. Cheap as chips.

 

[PaulRainbow]

For this job i would use crimp connectors with glue lined heat shrink, as mentioned in post #2

Such as ; Pardon our interruption...

You should use a ratchet crimping tool, like this ; https://www.toolstation.com/minotaur-ratchet-crimping-tool/p46714?store=I1

Do not use this type for anything; Minotaur Crimping Tool

 

[Snowgoose-1]

You could use self amalgamating tape. This seals very well.

What a good idea.

 

[PCUK]

I have successfully used hot melt glue as a first stage in insulating and weatherproofing joints.

 

[justanothersailboat]

I have successfully used hot melt glue as a first stage in insulating and weatherproofing joints.

I think technically anyone using glue lined heatshrink or glue lined heatshrink crimps is also using hot melt glue! but good point, it's also useful in isolation if you have something too irregular to go through tubing.

 

[ithet]

I know it is not the ideal tool, but I have had no problems using a gas stove lighter for shrink tubing. Just keep the flame moving over the whole area for just a few seconds. Never had the tube or wire burn or melt. Obviously if doing a lot of joints get the proper tool.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I have to put some wiring in an area which gets wet from salt spray and rainwater, I cannot avoid having joints in those areas. I thought I would use standard blue butt crimp connectors and cover the whole joint and the wire insulation with shrinkwrap. I have nevr used shrink wrapbegore so I need your help/.
What size shrink wrap do I need, o/d of cable 7mm crimp might be bigger than 7mm How do you heat it? Does it shrink llenghtwaysis so how much.
David MH

If we knew what you were putting, where, and why it is neccessary to have joints at that location, it may help with suggestions as opposed to blanket use of heat shrink connectors.