Steve,
That's certainly a new product to me. It's made by a couple of real players and it's certified by a couple of agencies that test this type of product which is all good. What I don't like is that it involves a soldered connection. I can easily predict the results when I set someone up with the right stripper, the right crimp tool, and the right crimp terminal. That is usually not the case when it comes to a soldered connection. I firmly believe Murphy's Law was written about the simple solder joint, and history certainly bears that out. I recently let a couple of PHDs help out doing wiring on a group project. They know a great deal in their fields and they "knew how to solder" and yet we've already seen a half dozen solder joint or nicked wire failures in just 60 days. The audience on a list like this ranges from newcomers with no particular relevant technical background to someone with 30+ years in Quality & Reliability well versed in doing failure analysis on a wide range of connection technologies in a metallurgical lab. This product actually looks like something worth noting for future use but I'm extremely well versed when it comes to wiring technology and will recognize when it can be used effectively. Use it at the wrong time and it could easily obscure a cold solder joint from detection before it fails in use. I do love the adhesive lined shrink tubing seal portion of this device. This is great stuff and should be used regularly. It has been readily available on crimp style terminals for more than a decade and works great in a marine environment. I replaced all the crimps terminals going to my bilge pumps and bilge sensor about thirteen years ago and they are still going fine. Phil Agur <http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> s/v Wing Tip Secretary, C270 LE #184 IC27/270A MMSI 366901790 www.catalina27.org <http://www.catalina27.org/> Vessel Doc# 1039809 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Port Huron Freecycle Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:02 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Tool reccomendations Another way to get a gas-tight crimp is by using self solder/shrink tube connectors. They are connectors that use a low temp solder. They are placed over the connection, then heated, preferably with a heat gun, but even a butane lighter in a pinch. This solders the wire, and shrinks the tubing around the wire, forming a complete seal. These can be used in very high moisture areas without failure. Not only do you have a nice tight complete connection, but you do not have to crimp in awkward or tough to access areas. There are even crimp/solder/shrink tube connectors for those who still want to make sure. They are all more expensive compared to regular crimp connectors, but I personally don't like to fix things twice. If anyone is interested, I can post a link or two on where to find them. I have scads of them from a previous job (I sold maintenance items, so I have all the toys), and they are very nice. Steve Bayless #3491 "Liebchen" Port Huron, MI
