Anyone used these for a permanent cable joining solution?

[Fordulike]

Has anyone used these to join cables together?
They look handy, but would they be able to handle high currents, 40A+?

10 x Tyco Top Quality Solder & Seal Heatshrink Butt Connectors (No Crimping) | eBay

 

[Scimitar]

Yep, used that type a lot, over the years. They're far superior to a simple soldered joint for automotive use, in that the shrink gives support to the joint and the wire strands don't snap, as is common with soldered joints through vibration.

 

[shemozzle999]

I have used them in the past and have nothing against them apart from being quite expensive and found them lacking enough solder, although you can add an extra bit of multicore solder before heating the joint.

My preference is a similar method but to use thin walled brass tubing of matching wire diameter.

Cut to a suitable length, the wires are soldered from each end and finished off by heat shrink sleeving.

I use this method when replacing motor cables where the space is restricted.

With correct selection of tubing you would not know there is a butt joint under the sleeving.

The brass tubing is freely available on Ebay or from model shops.

I also use this method when terminating wires direct onto motor coil wires - photo 1 shows the various stages viewed from left to right, photo 2 the finished job,

 

[shemozzle999]

Hi Fordulike

They do a range of these for different sized cables, the current carrying capacity will solely depend on the size of the wires being spliced, the device will not add to this and could even reduce it if the final soldered joint is not sound.

See link below for the full wire size range of these splice devices - download the Product drawing pdf for more details:

CWT-9001 Product Details - TE

And here for alternative products from the same supplier:

Splice Products - TE

 

[jerrysimon]

Interesting thread. I have never tried or even knew these existed

I tend to wrap the two wires together and then "wick" in some solder and cover the resulting joint with a couple of layers of heat shrink. It makes for a good joint but not that smooth.

I will be taking a look at these commercial and DIY alternatives, next time I need to do it.

I remember when I discovered heat shrink, it was like a moment of enlightenment after so many years of wrapping things up in insulating tape lol

PS I have loads of that tubing in my workshop from my RC model days.

Regards

Jerry

 

[cwah]

I've seen these butt solder connectors, but I think that they are expensive for what it is.

I'd just solder as normal the wire then add a glue lined heatshrink to make sure the connection stands:
12.7mm BLACK HEATSHRINK ADHESIVE GLUE LINED 1m 3:1RATIO | eBay

It's cheaper, the glue lined heatshrink is more flexible and you can butter the solder to make sure the connection stands.