LED with incandescent trailer lights

[smokeonthewater]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

Bruce, heat shrink connectors have a lining of hot melt glue... it seals multiple wires

I have a bunch of grease filled insulation displacement connectors that I use for marker light wiring.... they work like the bad wire taps you posted but have 3 separate holes to guide 3 wires to the blades... you press in the "button" with pliers and the very thick grease completely fills the cavity keeping water out..... the cost me $1.00 each at a local store but I haven't had a single failure yet in many years of use. They may not be perfect but I consider them a good compromise between durable and convenient. They are designed for direct burial use and work very well for me.

like these but for bigger wires
3M 316-IR Scotchlok Insulation Displacement Connectors, - Crescent Electric Supply Company

 

[alldodge]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

How does it seal in the space between the 2 wires? Is there sealant in the connector that flows around it?

The solder in the middle melts and flows in and around the wire. The same thing happens to the rings on each side, they are made of a lower melting point material which resembles hot glue. The outer covering shrinks and the inner core melts and seals around all surfaces.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

Bruce, heat shrink connectors have a lining of hot melt glue... it seals multiple wires

Yes I know, I also buy the heat shrink that has the glue. I may need to do an experiment as I am about to do some rewire on my trailer. Just seems like there isn't enough glue in these to actually flow around the wires sufficiently which is why I am going to add that electrical sealant around the joint.

The solder in the middle melts and flows in and around the wire. The same thing happens to the rings on each side, they are made of a lower melting point material which resembles hot glue. The outer covering shrinks and the inner core melts and seals around all surfaces.

I may try them out. I have a Graingers down the street from me.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

Yes I know, I also buy the heat shrink that has the glue. I may need to do an experiment as I am about to do some rewire on my trailer. Just seems like there isn't enough glue in these to actually flow around the wires sufficiently which is why I am going to add that electrical sealant around the joint.

keep the heat on longer especially in the center of the butt connector.... the glue will actually flow out and ball up outside the connector

 

[Fed]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

We need Y shaped heatshrink tubes.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

We need Y shaped heatshrink tubes.

until they malke them, do this: go up a few inches from the end, scrape off the insulation but do not cut; wrap the bare end of the connecting wire at the bare space on the uncut wire; solder and/or heat seal there. Add tape for strength. then at the end of that wire, add the third wire on a straight connect.

Use the first steps to splce in mid-line: you are better off to avoid cuts and reattaches.

on all connections, add something for strength; lines get snagged and yanked in an active world. Solder is a good connection and strong but it is also brittle. I often layer a couple different sizes of heat shrink.

Also keep connections from laying in water if you can, which includes laying along the bottom inside a trailer frame. And I'd often rather have my connections in the open air and sunshine than tucked in a dark damp hollow, not in all cases but something to think about.

 

[showem]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

I have used butt connectors and had no issues. After I strip the wire I smear vasoline on the wire before putting on connector.

 

[agallant80]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

Is there some reason why good old heat shrink would not work?

 

[dingbat]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

Is there some reason why good old heat shrink would not work?

Shrink tubing is an electrical insulator. It was not designed to be water proof.

Use the adhesive lined shrink tube and you'll be fine. Better yet, use the adhesive lined crimp connectors and they will outlast the trailer.

 

[limitout]

Re: LED with incandescent trailer lights

when something needs to be waterproof I have used silicone caulking wiped by finger into both ends of the crimp connectors after its put together and between the two wires if connecting 3 wires in a Y configuration to seal it waterproof, then I add heat shrink over the top of that connector with about 1/2" long extending beyond the connector on both ends and then you heat shrink it closed before the caulking hardens.

after this it is 100% waterproof but I still finish it off with an over wrap of electrical tape just for overkill