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A recent thread introduced us to "solder seal" connectors as an alternative to typical heat-shrink crimp connectors for boat wiring, or the addition of (ridiculously) expensive external heat shrink over automotive connectors.
The price is remarkable: 120 pieces for $10. The heat-shrink sheath seems identical to that of expensive Ancor connectors, except it apparently has no adhesive. There is no crimp necessary--or possible. The wires to be connected join inside a hollow lump of solder, which is then melted with a heat gun.
Hmmm. They work, but it takes a long time to melt the solder. Two-and-a-half minutes of close heat gun, during which it is necessary to hold the wires in place, or perhaps squeeze the solder with pliers. That's a long time, even in the convenience of a kitchen. Upsidedown under the cockpit it would be inconvenient.
A standard crimped connection can be made at arm's length with one hand, so the lack of a back-up crimp is a mark against.
But the price is great, and I'll make these part of the electrical kit for when their use makes sense.
...
...
A recent thread introduced us to "solder seal" connectors as an alternative to typical heat-shrink crimp connectors for boat wiring, or the addition of (ridiculously) expensive external heat shrink over automotive connectors.
The price is remarkable: 120 pieces for $10. The heat-shrink sheath seems identical to that of expensive Ancor connectors, except it apparently has no adhesive. There is no crimp necessary--or possible. The wires to be connected join inside a hollow lump of solder, which is then melted with a heat gun.
Hmmm. They work, but it takes a long time to melt the solder. Two-and-a-half minutes of close heat gun, during which it is necessary to hold the wires in place, or perhaps squeeze the solder with pliers. That's a long time, even in the convenience of a kitchen. Upsidedown under the cockpit it would be inconvenient.
A standard crimped connection can be made at arm's length with one hand, so the lack of a back-up crimp is a mark against.
But the price is great, and I'll make these part of the electrical kit for when their use makes sense.
...
...