Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

[scooper77515]

I once had a batch of connectors where you put the wires in, pinch it, and an epoxy or sealant came out and hardened over the wires creating a watertight seal.

I cannot seem to find these now.

Anyone know what I am talking about and where I can find them?

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Not sure if this what you are talking about??

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(4v0helqlxcixhyyut4e5ts55)/productDetails.aspx?SKU=3106259

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

I have never seen those.
There are connectors with dielectric silicone in them. But its not water proof unless you heat shrink the ends on.
I use regular ends and add the silicone, then crimp and heat shrink. For stud connections I just use regular RTV to cover the connection. Has never failed me yet.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Not sure if this what you are talking about??

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(4v0helqlxcixhyyut4e5ts55)/productDetails.aspx?SKU=3106259

Man they are just giving those away...

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Man they are just giving those away...

Well you are getting 2 of them! LOL!!!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

The wire connectors I use both at work and home have an adhesive applied to the inside of the plastic body over the crimp barrel. After crimping the connection, you heat the connectors and it shrinks over the wire and the adhesive inside melts and bonds to the insulation forming a waterproof connection. They are available in a huge variety of connection types (butt splice, ring terminals, spade terminals etc) and wire gauge sizes.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Similiarly, there is heat shrink tubing available that contains an adhesive inside that seals the connection after heating. Good stuff.


http://heatshrinktubingdirect.com/adhesive_lined_polyolefin_shrink_tubing.html?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc%20&utm_term=adhesive%20lined%20heat%20shrink%20tubing&utm_content=983599023&utm_campaign=16606023&OVRAW=heat%20shrink%20tubing%20adhesive%20inside&OVKEY=adhesive%20lined%20heat%20shrink%20tubing&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=983599023&OVKWID=3127733023&OVCAMPGID=16606023&OVADGRPID=319334411&OVNDID=ND1

 

[dingbat]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

All you want on E-Bay. My local Ace hardware carries them as well.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDgQrQQwAg

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

They looked sorta like this (this isn't it, this is just a crimp for telephone wires). You put the wires in, pinched the colored center, and it busted open some sort of sealant or epoxy, and it hardened in a couple minutes without dripping or making a mess. Watertight and firm seal. Sorta worked like that first response that Hansolo gave, but on a much smaller scale.

I wish I remember who gave those to me...

 

[rwidman]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

I once had a batch of connectors where you put the wires in, pinch it, and an epoxy or sealant came out and hardened over the wires creating a watertight seal.

I cannot seem to find these now.

Anyone know what I am talking about and where I can find them?

If you do find them, pass on them and use the adhesive filled heat shrink connectors mentioned in some of the other responses. West Marine has them in all sizes and configurations. These are the best way to make electrical connections on a boat.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

I have been searching for a week, and no luck.

So I will HAVE to use heat-shrink ones.

I am starting to think the ones I am looking for must not have worked as well as planned, and just phased out of production.

I used them to install a car stereo several years ago and thought they worked quite well...

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Some will say it's not necessary, but after crimping, I like to solder my lugs. I just feel better about the connection (and it really does not take that much time).

 

[rwidman]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Some will say it's not necessary, but after crimping, I like to solder my lugs. I just feel better about the connection (and it really does not take that much time).

Most of the experts recommend against soldering because the solder will wick up the wires and make them in effect "solid" and create a stress point. A properly done crimp creates a "cold weld" where there is solid metal to metal contact between all the conductors and the lug. Solder isn't necessary and in fact, solder cannot get into the crimped portion.

If you really want to make things better and can't find closed end terminals, put a sealant on the open end of the crimp barrel after you have crimped and shrunk the connector.

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Most of the experts recommend against soldering because the solder will wick up the wires and make them in effect "solid" and create a stress point. A properly done crimp creates a "cold weld" where there is solid metal to metal contact between all the conductors and the lug. Solder isn't necessary and in fact, solder cannot get into the crimped portion.

If you really want to make things better and can't find closed end terminals, put a sealant on the open end of the crimp barrel after you have crimped and shrunk the connector.

Interesting. I've just had so many wires pull out of crimp connectors (both crimps by me and crimped connections I've inherited) that I've just given up on them. The stress point aspect seems valid, if things are moving around, but I'm just sure not it affects me... But as my sig says, I'm new to boating so I keep an open mind to everything.

Thanks for sharing.

Eric

 

[tistore]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

i'm a fiber splicer and copper splicer...we use them in the phone company...you can buy them at home depot in the phone section...look at them close cause they have them where you can put 2 wires or 3 in them...they are called "Scotchlok" hope this helps

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Another option is the Dolphin B-Wire Connector. Although it says that it will pierce the insulation to make contact, I've found that with 20, 18, and 16-gauge wires it's better to strip them first. Make sure the stripped ends are all the way inside or the sealant will be useless.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

i'm a fiber splicer and copper splicer...we use them in the phone company...you can buy them at home depot in the phone section...look at them close cause they have them where you can put 2 wires or 3 in them...they are called "Scotchlok" hope this helps

I used those yeasrs ago when I was installing sound systems.

They are not filled with epoxy, it's a silicone grease. They are fine (great actually) for data wires but not for the #10 - #16 wires we would be using for marine electrical systems.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Another option is the Dolphin B-Wire Connector. Although it says that it will pierce the insulation to make contact, I've found that with 20, 18, and 16-gauge wires it's better to strip them first. Make sure the stripped ends are all the way inside or the sealant will be useless.

As with the Scotchlocks above, fine for data wires, not for electrical wires.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Interesting. I've just had so many wires pull out of crimp connectors (both crimps by me and crimped connections I've inherited) that I've just given up on them. The stress point aspect seems valid, if things are moving around, but I'm just sure not it affects me... But as my sig says, I'm new to boating so I keep an open mind to everything.

Thanks for sharing.

Eric

If you do some searching on the web, you'll find information that backs up what I posted.

The crimp connection has to be made with the proper sized connector and the proper tool in the proper die. It's not at all difficult and requires much less skill than soldering, but some people can still srew it up. I watched a guy not long ago use a pair of vise grips to crimp a connector. THat one's going to fail before too long.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Where do i find wire connectors with epoxy in them?

Scotchlok

That looks like the ones I used!

I wasn't sure if they made them for bigger wires or not.

I will have to take a look and see what they carry at the Home Depot today.

Last time i used them was on a small (non-amped) car stereo years ago. This boat has a pretty good sized amp and speakers, and they may not make them for larger wires.

I guess if they don't make them, butt connectors with a dab of silicone glue in each end should do the job for me.