![]() ![]() The single point of compression that is used in old style crimping will reduce the current rating of the connection by 50% to 75%. It is used to make a "crimp" that can handle just as much current as the wire and connector are rated for. The swage tool uses six sided jaws to compress the entire outside of the barrel against the wire, instead of a single point of compression. It's almost as if the cheap wire connector swage tools have disappeared from the market. That got a bunch of more relevant tools, although they seem to be all for dealing with coax instead of small wires. It gets harder each year to find what you want on the net. Not something the average boat owner has access to. What's a swaged connection in the context of trailer wiring? I googled "swaged electrical connection" and got a lot of high tech looking stuff. Truck Driver(retired), Jungle Guide(retired), Hog Farmer(retired)Ĭhicken Plucker(retired), Tower Climber(retired) Technical Writer(retired), Petty Bureaucrat(retired), Gambler(retired) Motorcycle Instructor(retired), Ditch Digger(retired), Sailor(retired) This results in broken conductors when subjected to vibration, if the wire isn't properly immobolized for several inches beyond the heat shrink.Įlectronics Instructor(retired), Miniature Repair Technician(retired)Ĭomputer technician(retired), Marine Electrician(retired) Heat shrinkable tubing stiffens up as it cools, making a hard point, just like a soldered splice. Five 50' rolls will cost about as much as a 3' piece of self-vulcanizing silicon electrical tape. Self-vulcanizing rubber electrical tape is also commonly called grip tape and is used on tool handles, handguns, bike handlebars. I've used this on everything from wiring exposed to salt spray, to large permanently submerged cables. The result is a hermetically sealed splice that is completely waterproof, impervious to UV damage and easily uncovered for any future maintenance. The vinyl tape compresses the rubber/silicon tape into all the nooks and crannies, while the ScotchKote prevents the sun from degrading the vinyl tape. There are formulations available that do not have acetic acid in them and they are fine for this use.įor wire splices, the preferred method of waterproofing was a stretched and wrapped layer of self-vulcanizing rubber or silicon tape, with a layer of tightly wrapped vinyl tape over that and the whole area painted with ScotchKote. ![]() Most cheap RTV silicon rubbers contain acetic acid, making them unsuitable for use on electrical work or aluminum. You won't find those specialized connectors or their tools in walmart and I doubt if they'll be available in any auto parts store either. That said, there has been a lot of improvement in the "crimp" technology since I retired 25 years ago and today there are specialized crimp connectors and their tools for just about any environment or level of current flow, if you're ready to pay the cost. ![]() Anything from a couple amps on up, should use a swaged connector, rather than crimped. Led trailor lights are on the borderline for reliable "old fashioned" crimping. You can make wire nuts work on stranded wires for a temporary repair, but don't be surprised when the "repair" fails. You should be using stranded wire on anything that is subject to vibration. To advertise, take a look at WoodenBoat Advertising, or use your Google Adwords account if you want to advertise on the Forum.Įxcessively detailed information follows. Selling/self promotion postings are verboten on the Forum. No need to register unless you would like to participate, although some images will only show if you are registered/logged-in.īefore you can post: click the red register link or the register tab, above, right. You'll find answers to the frequently asked questions as well as basic rules. To get WoodenBoat delivered to your door or computer, mobile device of choice, etc, click WB Subscriptions.Ĭheck out the FAQ. The Forum is a free service, and much like the "free" content on Public Radio, we hope you will support WoodenBoat by subscribing to this fabulous magazine. The WoodenBoat Forum is sponsored by WoodenBoat Publications, publisher of WoodenBoat magazine. ![]()
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